Background: At present only short-term follow-up data are available to compare endoscopic and conventional hernia surgery. This paper presents data from a randomized study 6 years after initial recruitment.
Methods: In 1993 a randomized comparative study of transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) and Shouldice repair was commenced. Endpoints were rate of recurrence, late complications, complaints and patient satisfaction.
Results: The rate of recurrence in the TAPP group was one (2 per cent) of 48 patients and in the Shouldice group two (5 per cent) of 43. Only five patients in the Shouldice and three in the TAPP group reported slight discomfort in the inguinal region at 6-year follow-up. In neither group was chronic pain syndrome observed. Altogether, 46 (96 per cent) of 48 patients in the TAPP group and 35 (81 per cent) of 43 of those having the Shouldice procedure stated complete satisfaction with the hernia repair.
Conclusion: Long-term evaluation demonstrated greater satisfaction with the result of the repair in the endoscopic group. The difference between the groups in the recurrence rate was not significant, because of the small numbers. The TAPP method appears to be an effective surgical alternative in patients with inguinal hernia.