Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common procedures in field of general surgery. There have been various methods for inguinal hernia repair, but recently, so called 'tension-free repair' is the procedure of choice [1] due to its low recurrence rate. These tension-free repair procedures can be roughly categorized into two groups; laparoscopic and open anterior approach. As laparoscopic hernia repair, total extraperitoneal (TEP) repair, transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair, and intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) repair are well known. Among them, TEP is accepted as the most ideal method because it can avoid entry into the peritoneal cavity, which can cause intraperitoneal complication such as bowel injury or obstruction [2]. And among open tension-free methods, such as Lichtenstein's operation, repair using mesh plug or prolene hernia system (PHS), PHS repair is becoming an accepted and popular technique because of shorter operating time, about 10%, and it's low recurrence rate [3,4].

Recently, there are many reports comparing these two laparoscopic and open tension-free methods [5-7]. However, there have been few reports comparing laparoscopic TEP with PHS repair for inguinal hernia. Thus, we designed this study and have reviewed our data.

A retrospective analysis of 237 patients scheduled for laparoscopic TEP or PHS repair of unilateral inguinal hernia from August 2005 to August 2009 was performed. In study duration, 15 patients who had bilateral inguinal hernia and 11 patients who had TAPP repair performed, 4 patients who had IPOM repair performed were excluded from this data. Also, the patients who had shorter than 12 months of follow up were excluded. A total of 237 (TEP, 119; PHS, 118) patients were involved. Until 2007, we had mainly performed PHS repair method, but thereafter, have performed laparoscopic TEP repair, except in the following cases; the anesthesiologist recommended that the patient was not suitable for general anesthesia, the patient didn't want TEP repair due to cost. All operations were performed by a single surgeon. Outcome was compared in demographics and perioperative details with postoperative data.

As Table 1 shows, the mean follow up duration was 32 months (range, 13 to 58 months). The mean age of TEP group was 52.3 ± 19.5 (range, 15 to 87) and 55.7 ± 17.7 years (range, 17 to 90 years) in PHS group. The male to female sex ratio of the 237 patients was 112:7 in TEP group and 107:11 in PHS group. One hundred and forty-seven cases were right side inguinal hernia (TEP, 7 1; PHS, 76) and 90 cases were left side (TEP, 48; PHS, 42). Indirect types were 82%, and there were 5 cases of femoral hernia and 1 case of pantaloon hernia in TEP group only. All TEP group surgeries were performed under general anesthesia. But 34% of cases in PHS group were performed under general anesthesia, and other cases under spinal or epidural anesthesia. Preoperatively, 10 cases of recurrent hernia were involved in our study (4 in TEP, 6 in PHS group).

Peri-operative data is shown in Table 2. The mean operation time in TEP and PHS group was 74.8 ± 36.5 (range, 30 to 290) and 71.2 ± 33.2 minutes (range, 25 to 225 minutes) respectively; it was similar between the two groups. The hospital stay in TEP and PHS groups were 1.6 ± 1.5 (range, 1 to 11) and 3.2 ± 6.9 days (range, 1 to 15 days), respectively; shorter in TEP than in PHS group (P = 0.018). The times of analgesics usage were 0.5 ± 0.5 (range, 0 to 1) and 2.0 ± 2.8 (range, 0 to 21); less use in TEP than in PHS group (P < 0.01). However, postoperative complications more frequently occurred in TEP (36 cases, 30.3%) than in PHS (6 cases, 5.1%) group (P < 0.01). Only one recurrence was detected during follow up period in PHS group, but it did not show any statistical significance.

Table 3 describes the details of postoperative complication in each group. The operative site hematoma was detected in 20 cases (16.8%), scrotal swelling in 7 cases (5.9%) and seroma in 9 cases (7.6%) of TEP group. On the other hand, there were only 2 hematoma and 1 seroma in PHS group. Therefore, the hematoma, swelling and seroma were more frequently detected in TEP than in PHS group (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P = 0.010, respectively). No patient suffered from sustained pain in TEP group, but 2 patients suffered in PHS group (P = 0.247). There were no other serious complications in either group.

Bassini's procedure [8] was standard procedure for repair of inguinal hernia until tension-free hernia repair procedure using mesh was introduced by Lichtenstein and Shulman [9]. The tension-free hernia repair method was developed and now there are various methods such as plane mesh, plug mesh, PHS repair, and laparoscopic TEP, TAPP, IPOM repair. Of these, the PHS repair was introduced by Gilbert et al. [4] in 1999, and has become a popular procedure because it is easy to perform when; the anatomy is not clear [10], there is decreased operating time [3], low recurrent rate [4], and/or it could prevent femoral hernia [10]. And laparoscopic TEP repair has been considered as the laparoscopic procedure of choice for inguinal hernia [11] because of the following; high recurrence rate after IPOM [12], TEP can avoid entry into the peritoneal cavity [2], the incidence of serious complications is lower after TEP than TAPP [11].

We have compared these two popular procedures for inguinal hernia; there was no difference in demographic features between the two groups. All TEP repairs and 34% of PHS repairs were performed under general anesthesia, but no postoperative complication related to general or spinal anesthesia was observed.

Many authors have reported that the operating time for laparoscopic hernia repair procedure could be longer than open [13,14], and in some [7] it was the same. In our results, the operative time was similar between the two groups. Variation of the operative time can be influenced by the operator or author (his or her operative style, habit, tendency). In our data, all operations were performed by a single surgeon, so, we could say there was no difference in the operative time between laparoscopic hernia repair and open hernia repair.

Hospital stay was shorter in TEP group (1.6 days) than PHS group (3.1 days). Other authors have reported that TEP repair results in a quicker return to normal functional status [15], and an improved quality-of-life outcome [16]. However, hospital stay was not decided by only patients' physical condition but surgeon's preference, secondary gain such as private insurance, the hospital's turn over rate of sickbed, psychological effect, and traditional beliefs.

The amount of postoperative intravenous or intramuscular analgesics use was lower in TEP group (0.54 times) than PHS group (2.03 times). Recently, Blinman [17] reported very interesting results; even though the sum of incision is same, the total tensions are not equal, so conventional incisions are subject to more total tension than combination of trocar incisions. In this point of view, our result is understandable. And even breakup of incision may have cosmetic effects.

There were no serious complications in both groups. However, minor complications were detected more frequently in TEP group (36 cases, 30.3%) than PHS group (6 cases, 5.1%). Operative site hematoma was the most common complication (16.8%) after TEP repair, but subsided spontaneously without any intervention or medication. Although operative site hematoma was a minor complication, since laparoscopic operation should be considered as a cosmetic standpoint, careful dissection of preperitoneal space, and delicate bleeding control might be required to prevent it. Postoperative scrotal swelling occurred in 7 cases of TEP repair; they were resolved without any intervention. On the other hand, a total of 10 cases of seroma were detected (9 cases of TEP, 1 case of PHS) and aspiration was done; after that there was no recurrence of seroma. There have been reports about the risk factors of seroma formation after laparoscopic TEP [18,19]: large hernia defects, scrotal extension of the hernia, potential cavity exists between the mesh and the transversalis fascia, male gender, and indirect type.

The present study came from a single surgeon's results, so there may be bias; this result cannot be adopted by all surgeons. However, a single surgeon's results has a strong point; coherent standards were applied to postoperative outcomes such as operative time, hospital stay, and amount of analgesics.

In conclusion, laparoscopic TEP repair and PHS hernia repair had acceptably low recurrence rates and similar operating times. The advantage of TEP repair was shorter hospital stay, lower analgesics use, and cosmetic effect. However, the TEP repair had more minor postoperative complications than those of PHS repair.