[TAPP versus TEP: a retrospective analysis 5 years after laparoscopic transperitoneal and total endoscopic extraperitoneal repair in inguinal and femoral hernia].
INTRODUCTION: The 5-year results after laparoscopic repair of inguinal and femoral hernias with the TAPP and TEP techniques were analyzed. METHODS: We examined all patients after inguinal repair with the TAPP or TEP technique for the treatment of inguinal and/or femoral hernias from September 1992 to February 1996 performed by four surgeons at the Lüneburg community hospital (TAPP: 294 patients with 352 hernias, TEP: 278 patients with 324 hernias). The follow-up included a clinical examination, a questionnaire, and an ultrasound examination of the inguinal area. RESULTS: The follow-up rate was 93.5% after TAPP and 91% after TEP with a median follow-up of 5.7 postoperative years. With a total complication rate of almost 10.2% both methods did not differ. The recurrence rate after TAPP was 2.3% ( re-recurrence rate 6.7%) and 1.5% after TEP ( re-recurrence rate 4.8%). Recurrences occurred on average 45 months after TAPP and 36.6 months after TEP. CONCLUSION: TAPP and TEP are both safe and efficient. Because of the late occurrence of recurrence we suggest randomized prospective studies over a period of 5-10 postoperative years.