Comparison of Self-Gripping Mesh Versus Tack-Fixed Prolene Mesh in Laparoscopic Transabdominal Preperitoneal (TAPP) Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Retrospective Study

Aim: This study compares two different fixation methods used in laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair: self-gripping micro-hooked meshes and prolene meshes fixed with absorbable staples.Material and Methods: The research was performed retrospectively on 179 patients who received TAPP procedures at the General Surgery Unit of Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University from January 2022 to March 2025.Results: Participants in the study were split into two groups: those who used self-gripping mesh (Group 1, n = 74) and those who used staple-fixed mesh (Group 2, n = 105). Analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in operating time between the groups (Group 1: 60.85 min, Group 2: 62.86 min). Both groups exhibited comparable outcomes regarding the necessity for postoperative narcotic analgesics. No significant difference was found in seroma formation and hernia recurrence rates (1.35% in Group 1, 2.86% in Group 2). All recurrence cases were noted within the initial three months post-surgery.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the two mesh fixation methods employed in the TAPP approach for hernia repair exhibit comparable efficacy and reliability for clinical outcomes. Self-gripping meshes did not show any medical superiority over the traditional staple method in terms of reducing pain or shortening surgery time. Consequently, it is advisable to prioritize cost and economic considerations over clinical outcomes when selecting a procedure.