Assessment of the Impact of Mesh Density on Early and Long-term Results After Laparoscopic Transabdominal Preperitoneal Inguinal Hernia Repair

Inguinal hernia is a common pathology. The main treatment method is surgical. Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair is a leading technique. Polypropylene mesh implants are classified by weight into heavy, medium, light, and ultralight. However, the optimal weight of the mesh to minimize complications remains debated. The aim of the study: to determine the optimal mesh density to minimize complications after laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty. Materials and methods. Retrospective analysis of postoperative results obtained during treatment of 178 patients with inguinal hernia hernioplasty at the Department of Surgery and Vascular Surgery of Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine, Kyiv in the period from 2018 to 2022. Results. The average duration of surgical intervention was: Group I – 87.92±14.56 min, Group II – 85.21±14.74 min, Group III – 88.9±13.92 min. The level of pain according VAS scale was: Group I – 3.04±1.05 points; Group II – 3.07±1.23 points; Group III – 3.42±1.31 points. Readiness for discharge was: Group I – 8.41±0.82 points, Group II – 8.49±0.87 points, Group III – 7.56±1.01 points. The duration of taking NSAIDs in the early postoperative period was: Group I – 2.98±1.11 days; Group II – 3.3±1.06 days, Group III – 5.03±2.25 days. The development of chronic groin pain was noted: Group II – 2 patients; Group III – 5 patients. Recurrence of inguinal hernia was noted: Group I – 3 patients; Group II – 1 patient. Conclusions. In the scope of our research, light polypropylene mesh demonstrates itself as a optimal mesh density when performing laparoscopic TAPP, which allows to achieve a low level of development of postoperative chronic groin pain and hernia recurrencse.