Non-absorbable versus absorbable tacks in transabdominal preperitoneal laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia

Background: Groin hernia repair is considered to be one of the most commonly performed operations by general surgeons however, there is no "gold standard" operation for treatment of inguinal hernias. The optimal surgical approach must be selected individually for the patient, considering patient age, hernia size, unilaterality or bilaterality, primary or recurrent status, and type of anesthesia, occupation, and leisure activities. The laparoscopic revolution has increased the debate about the safest and most effective inguinal hernia repair. This revolution has broadened our understanding of inguinal anatomy and hernia repair. At the least, surgeons should be aware of the current indications and contraindications for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, because some hernias should have a laparoscopic repair. To increase versatility, surgeons should consider becoming skilled at both techniques, with the understanding that outcomes are optimal if one is committed to achieving expertise in laparoscopic repair.
Objectives: Our objective in this study is to compare the outcome of   mesh fixation using non-absorbable tacks versus absorbable tacks in transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia regarding their efficacy and postoperative complications to improve the outcome of patients undergoing surgery for inguinal hernia in Ain Shams University Hospitals.
Patients and methods: The present study is a prospective, randomized comparative study that was conducted in Ain Shams University Hospitals in Egypt, and included sixty (60) patients who had inguinal hernia. The patients were divided into two groups each group including 30 patients. In the first group (Group A) titanium non-absorbable tacks were used and in the other group (Group B) absorbable tacks were used. The patients underwent a trans-abdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia using prolene mesh. The study was conducted from July 2016 to July 2017, with 12 months of follow-up post-operatively until July 2018.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 36.93 ± 10.23 (19-55) and the mean BMI was 24.83 ± 2.79 (19-32). There was no significant difference between 2 groups as regard preoperative comorbidities. Patients presented mainly with swelling in the groin region 71.67%. Right sided hernia was 46.7% and bilateral hernia was 15%. There was no difference between 2 groups as regard the operative time (p-value=0.056) and intraoperative complications: bleeding (p-value=0.150) and bladder injury (p-value=0.313). Post-operative complications, postoperative hospital stay, time needed to return to normal activity and the recurrence were all alike between the 2 groups. Pain analysis was done four times, and revealed no significant difference between the 2 groups at any time of follow-up.
Conclusion: Both non-absorbable tacks and absorbable tacks used in mesh fixation are similarly effective in terms of operative time, the incidence of recurrence, complications and pain at least in the first year of follow up, but it may be less painful after one year after the complete absorption of the absorbable tacks but this needs further investigations and studies containing more patients and with follow-up for longer time.