Complications of Laparoscopic Inguinal Herniorrhaphy

Abstract

The repair of an inguinal hernia is one of the most common general surgical procedures. Unlike laparoscopic cholecystectomy, concern for complications, recurrent hernias, a steep learning curve, and the higher cost of the procedure has limited the adoption of laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy. A growing body of evidence from anecdotal, prospective, and prospective randomized studies has shown that with proper preparation and sufficient experience, these factors may be comparable to open repairs. It is currently difficult for hospitals to share in the disability savings the more rapid recovery offers; however, efforts to standardize the technique and control the cost may make the laparoscopic approach competitive in this area as well. Although continued surveillance is required to determine the long-term rate of recurrence, it is expected to be equivalent to the other mesh repairs. Learning a laparoscopic repair will increase a surgeon's ability to tailor a repair to the patient. This capability may be critical if we are to remain attractive to all of our "customers," patients, employers, and insurance carriers. Copyright© 1997 by W B. Saunders Company