Hypothesis: Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy using Surgisis (Cook Surgical, Bloomington, IN, USA) mesh is an effective long-term treatment for repair of inguinal hernia.
Patients and intervention: Between August 1999 and April 2005, 67 patients underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair by the total extraperitoneal (TEP) mesh placement technique using Surgisis mesh. A total of 82 primary direct, indirect, pantaloon, and femoral hernias were repaired using this technique.
Main outcome measures: Postoperative complications and recurrence as evaluated at two weeks, six weeks, three months, six months, one year, and yearly thereafter for up to five years.
Results: The operations were performed successfully on all the patients. One revision was done to an open procedure. Postoperative complications were typical of inguinal hernia surgery. Average follow up was 38 (range: 4-72, median: 35 months. Four non-technical recurrences following repair of direct hernias were reported, which indicates a 4.9% recurrence rate. No recurrences of indirect hernias were noted.
Conclusions: Laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy using Surgisis mesh is effective in treatment of primary inguinal hernias in adults with minimal complications and recurrence up to five years of follow up.