Comparison of extended totally extra peritoneal (eTEP) vs intra peritoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) repair for management of primary and incisional hernia in terms of early outcomes and cost effectiveness-a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There are no randomized controlled trials comparing the eTEP with IPOM repair and this randomized study was designed to compare the two techniques in terms of early pain, cost effectiveness, and quality of life. METHOD: This was a prospective randomized trial with intention to treat analysis. The primary outcome was immediate post-operative pain scores. Operative time, conversions, peri operative morbidity, hospital stay, return to daily activities, incremental cost effectiveness ratio and quality of life (WHO-QOL BREF) were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Sixty patients were randomized equally. Early post-operative pain scores and seroma rates were significantly lower and with a significantly earlier return to activity in eTEP group (p value < 0.05). With negative costs and positive effects, eTEP group was 2.4 times more cost effective. CONCLUSION: eTEP repair is better in terms of lesser early post-operative pain, earlier return to activities and cost effectiveness in small and medium size defects.

Outcomes of Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration After Failed Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Patients with Concomitant Gall Stones and Common Bile Duct Stones: A Prospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to compare the outcomes of secondary laparoscopic CBD exploration (LCBDE) following failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and primary laparoscopic common bile duct (CBD) exploration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred eighty-five patients undergoing LCBDE were divided into Group I consisting of patients undergoing a primary LCBDE (n = 102) and Group II consisting of patients undergoing LCBDE after failure of ERCP to clear the CBD stones (n = 83). Primary outcome measure was successful laparoscopic CBD clearance. The secondary outcome measures were degree of difficulty, operative time, complications, hospital stay, and the cost of treatment. RESULTS: Success rate was similar in both groups (85.3% versus 80.7%). Mean operative time, degree of difficulty, hospital stay, and cost of procedure were significantly higher in Group II (P value <.05). CONCLUSION: It may be prudent to consider ERCP failure patients for primary LCBDE than risk the complications of ERCP if they are suitable for primary surgery.

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) versus totally extraperitoneal (TEP) approach: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Minimal access approaches to inguinal hernia repair have added to the ongoing debate over the "best groin hernia repair." The present prospective randomized controlled trial was done to compare the totally extraperitoneal (TEP) and transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) techniques of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: The present prospective randomized study was conducted between May 2007 and March, 2009 and included 100 patients suffering from uncomplicated primary groin hernia. Patients were randomized into group I (TEP) and group II (TAPP). Intraoperative variables and postoperative pain scores were recorded in a prestructured form. RESULTS: One hundred patients were included in the study (TEP, 53; TAPP, 47). Both groups were comparable in terms of demographic profile and hernia characteristics. The average operative time was higher in the TAPP group (p = 0.209). The pain scores at 1 h and 24 h after surgery and at 3-month follow-up were significantly higher in the TAPP group (p < 0.05). The average follow-up was 30.5 months. In the TEP group, 37.8% of patients had seroma compared to 18.3% in the TAPP group (p = 0.021). However, there was a higher incidence of scrotal edema in the TAPP group (16 vs. 9, p = 0.009). The wound infection rates were equal (2% vs. 3%). There has been no recurrence in either group during the follow-up period of 44 months. Overall, the patients were more satisfied with TEP rather than TAPP (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, TEP had a significant advantage over TAPP for significantly reduced postoperative pain up to 3 months, which resulted in a better patient satisfaction score. The other intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, and cost were similar in both groups. In terms of results, both repair techniques seemed equally effective, but TEP had an edge over TAPP.