Preoperative Infraumbilical Anthropometry: A Selective Guide to Endoscopic Hernia Repairâ€â€A Pilot Study

Introduction: Specific preoperative indications for endoscopic hernia repair are nonexistent. The study was aimed to examine the feasibility of preoperative infraumbilical anthropometry (PIA) as a guide to define endoscopic repair. Materials and methods: Forty-five patients were recruited for the study based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Preoperative anthropometric measurements (fixed bony points of pelvis and umbilicus) were done. All patients were subjected to total extraperitoneal repair (TEP). Failure of TEP was converted to transabdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP) and reasons for conversion were noted and statistically analyzed. Results: A total of 33 patients underwent TEP (73.3%) and 12 (26.7%) patients had to be converted to TAPP. Raised body mass index (BMI) [mean 22.53, standard deviation (SD) 0.35, p < 0.001], increased infraumbilical fat pad thickness (mean 2.77 cm, SD 0.27, p < 0.00), and pelvic anthropometric parameters were found to be significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Preoperative pelvic anthropometry could be a selective guide to endoscopic hernia repair.