Fibrin glue for mesh fixation in laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) hernia repair: indications, technique, and outcomes

Background: The efficacy and safety of prosthesis fixation were studied by means of fibrin glue (Tissucol, Baxter Healthcare) during laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) treatment of inguinal and femoral hernias. Methods: Between September 2001 and December 2004, fibrin glue was used for mesh fixation during TAPP. Results: In this study, 320 hernias were treated for 230 patients (225 men and 5 women) with an average age of 45 years (range, 20-75 years). No perioperative complications were observed. After an average follow-up period of 26 months (range, 1-40 months), the only postoperative complications observed were six seromas (1.8%) and one trocar-site hematoma (0.3%). The mean operating time was 30 min for unilateral hernias and 50 min for bilateral hernias, whether primary or recurrent. Patients usually were discharged the day after surgery and returned to work after 5 days. Conclusions: The authors' experience demonstrates that fibrin glue (Tissucol) is an effective method for mesh fixation during TAPP.