Evaluation of Surgical Results and Effectiveness of Laparoscopic Transabdominal Preperitoneal and Laparoscopic Totally Extraperitoneal Approaches in Bilateral Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Randomized Analysis

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Laparoscopic surgery is recommended as the standard approach for bilateral inguinal hernia repair. There are few studies in the literature comparing laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) and laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) approaches for bilateral inguinal hernia repair. This study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes and effectiveness of laparoscopic TAPP and laparoscopic TEP methods applied in bilateral inguinal hernia repair. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total of 100 patients operated on for bilateral inguinal hernia by applying laparoscopic TAPP and laparoscopic TEP methods from January 2016 to March 2023 were included in the study. The patients were randomized equally in two groups. Postoperative follow-up results were statistically analyzed in terms of recurrence rate, swelling in the incisions, scrotal edema and swelling, suture dehiscence, and the average time to return to work. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In bilateral inguinal hernia patients operated with laparoscopic TAPP method compared with bilateral inguinal hernia patients operated with laparoscopic TEP method, postoperative recurrence rate was significantly lower (2% versus 16%), swelling in the incision sites was significantly less (4% versus 24%), and the average time to return to work was significantly shorter (3.6 ± 2.3 versus 6.3 ± 5.8) (<i>P</i> < .05). Scrotal edema and swelling and suture dehiscence results did not show significant differences between the two approaches (<i>P</i> > .05). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Both methods are widely used in bilateral inguinal hernia repairs. Postoperative results revealed that the laparoscopic TAPP method with less postoperative recurrence rate and less swelling in the incision sites, and shorter average time of the patients to return to work appears to be superior to the laparoscopic TEP method.