Background: Recurrent inguinal hernia accounts for 10 % of the recurrence rate in all recurrent hernia cases.
Aim: This study aimed to operate recurrent hernia by laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal technique (TAPP) then evaluate its outcomes.
Patients and methods: This a prospective clinical study included 30 patients complaining of recurrent inguinal hernia. All of them were treated by laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal stapling of prolene mesh 10 X 15 cm by the endo-tacker in the preperitoneal (Bogros) space. The patients were assessed preoperatively. Then, we assessed the results of the operative finding, difficulties and complication.
Results: The TAPP approach was easier in operating bilateral recurrent inguinal hernia but with high cost. The laparoscopic approach has several advantages over the open approach like: Less postoperative pain, operative time was less as we operated the unilateral recurrent inguinal hernia in 40 minutes and bilateral hernia in 60 minutes. The disadvantages of the TAPP approach were: It cannot be performed under local anesthesia, higher patient expectation, increased cost and difficult approach in huge hernias.Postoperatively, no significant serious complications were recorded, only one patient developed mild seroma in the early postoperative period, which resolved within 5 days and another one patient developed mild hydrocele late postoperatively, which resolved within 5 weeks.
Conclusion: The transabdominal preperitoneal approach is the best technique for the treatment of recurrent inguinal hernia and the most important pre-step of the TAPP was the familiarity with the intra-abdominal laparoscopic anatomy.