Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: impact of surgical time in the learning curve.

PURPOSE: One of the procedures that has become very popular thanks to the advantages of minimally invasive approach is the laparoscopic treatment of inguinocrural hernias. As a disadvantage, it would imply a longer learning curve when compared to the conventional approach. There is no consensus about the number of procedures required to dominate this surgical technique, since according to bibliography it ranges from 20 to 240. METHODS: We analyzed and compared the progress of 18 third year surgical residents while they were introducing into laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernioplasties between June 2013 and May 2018. RESULTS: Between June 2013 and May 2018, 1282 laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasties were performed (71 procedures per resident). Mean surgical time was for unilateral: 62.13 min (SD ± 15.54; range 30-105 min) for the first third (Q1) vs 54.61 min (SD ± 15.38; range 30-100 min) for the last third (Q3): p < 0.0001. For bilateral were: 92.59 min (SD ± 21.89; range 50-160 min) for Q1 vs 84.48 min (SD ± 20.52; range 30-130 min) for Q3: p < 0.05. Accepting an alpha error of 5% and considering an association power of 80%, there would be needed 61 cases per surgeon to achieve a significant reduction in surgical time. CONCLUSION: In a center with high-volume in TAPP and under a supervised training program, it is feasible to achieve a reduction in surgical time. Randomized studies with a larger number of cases are necessary to confirm this finding and draw more robust and objective conclusions.

Totally endoscopic inguinal hernia repair: A new approach.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive approach is used to repair as many defects of the abdominal wall as possible with the same approach, with the advantages implied by this way to perform surgery. Nowadays, efforts are made to create a minimally invasive approach to cope with the necessity to repair different defects of the abdominal wall at the same time. METHODS: A minimally invasive approach, with long standing endoscopic and laparoscopic principles on a well stablished inguinal hernia repair technique (Lichtenstein), is used to create a new approach to restore a unilateral inguinal hernia with the possibility to perform an adjunctive approach to solve other defects of the abdominal wall, in this case midline incisional hernia. A written consent was previously obtained, and Institutional Review Board approval was not needed. RESULTS: We performed an endoscopic repair of a right inguinal hernia, and a laparoscopic approach using the same surgical site to repair a midline incisional hernia. Patient was discharged at 36 hs post-procedure. Sixth month later the patient does not have evidence of a recurrence of either defect. CONCLUSION: This new approach has proved to be feasible, giving the advantages of a minimally invasive approach, but more experience and time are needed before getting objective and real conclusions.