COMPARISON OF EARLY OUTCOMES BETWEEN LICHTENSTEIN AND LAPAROSCOPİC REPAIR IN INGUINAL HERNIA SURGERY

Introduction and Aim: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most commonly performed surgeries. Alongside many open repair techniques, laparoscopic repair methods have gained prominence in recent decades. This study was designed to investigate the early postoperative outcomes and complications of open and laparoscopic hernia repair methods. Materials and Methods: Patient files of those who underwent Lichtenstein and transabdominal pre-peritoneal repair (TAPP) between January 2021 and January 2024 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients' age, gender, type of anesthesia, length of hospital stay, pain VAS score, type of hernia, operation duration, complications, and use of drains were recorded and compared. Results: A total of 163 patients were included in the study. Of these, 57 patients (35.0%) underwent TAPP, while 106 patients (65.0%) underwent Lichtenstein repair. The average age of patients in the TAPP group was lower compared to those in the Lichtenstein group (p<0.001). Postoperative pain levels, operation duration, and length of hospital stay were higher in the TAPP group (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of complications such as bleeding, seroma, or atelectasis. Conclusion: In the early postoperative period, there was no significant difference in the development of bleeding, seroma, or atelectasis between TAPP and Lichtenstein repairs for inguinal hernia. However, within the first 24 hours postoperatively, patients in the TAPP group experienced higher levels of pain and required longer hospital stays. We assess that the extended hospitalization observed in the TAPP group is more likely attributable to side effects of general anesthesia—such as nausea, vomiting, and malaise—rather than the surgical technique itself.