Single-Incision Laparoscopic Trans-Abdominal Pre-Peritoneal Hernia Repair for Inguinal Hernias

Background : We report on our initial experience of single port access hernia repair by trans-abdominal pre-peritoneal hernia repair (TAPP) for inguinal hernias. Methods : We investigated the operative outcomes in 9 patients (13 hernias) who had undergone single port access TAPP, compared with 247 patients (354 hernias) who had undergone conventional 3-port TAPP. Results : The operative scars were almost invisible postoperatively and the procedure was completed without any additional ports in the single port access TAPP group. There was little blood loss during the operations in both groups although the mean operative time was significantly longer in the single port access TAPP group than in the conventional 3 port TAPP group (172.9±66.6 min vs. 98.8±39.2 min, respectively). All patients were discharged within 5 post-operative days according to our clinical path without perioperative complications except for one case of seroma which required a single puncture in the single port access TAPP group. The morbidity rate was comparable between single port access and conventional 3-port TAPP groups (11.1% vs. 17.8%, respectively). No recurrences were found in the single port access TAPP group. Conclusion : Single port access TAPP was performed safely with cosmetic advantages compared with traditional 3-port TAPP. Single port access TAPP could be an attractive alternative for patients with inguinal hernias.