Laparoscopic transperitoneal hernia repair of incarcerated hernias: Is it feasible? Results of a prospective study

Background: Laparoscopic transperitoneal hernia repair (TAPP) has proved its efficiency in elective surgery. However, TAPP results with incarcerated hernias still are unknown. Methods: Data from a prospective study were evaluated with regard to TAPP repair for both chronically and acutely incarcerated hernias. Results: During a 6-year period, 220 incarcerated hernias were repaired (194 via TAPP). The median operation time for TAPP was 55 min. An accompanying resection therapy became necessary for only four of the emergency cases (11.1%) and two of the chronically incarcerated cases (1.3%) in the TAPP group. Postoperative morbidity was 2.8% in the emergency group and 3.8% in the chronically incarcerated group, which does not differ from the rate for TAPP used on reducible hernias. One recurrence was found 26 months after TAPP reconstruction (0.5%). Conclusion: Laparoscopic inguinal. hernia repair (TAPP) represents an efficient therapeutic concept in the treatment of both chronically and acutely incarcerated inguinal hernias.