Laparoscopic Observations in Acquired Inguinal Hernia before and after Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy

Background: The mechanism of the development of acquired inguinal hernia, especially indirect inguinal hernia, is not well known. Although anatomical studies have been performed to explain development of inguinal hernia, they have mainly involved autopsy or temporal findings at the time of hernioplasty. To elucidate the pattern of development of acquired inguinal hernia, we studied the occurrence of inguinal hernia after robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). Methods: From March 2009 to November 2011, RALP for prostatic cancer was performed on 60 patients in our institute. The RALP was performed by one urologist using the da Vinci Surgical System. The postsurgical development of inguinal hernia was diagnosed based on patients’ symptoms. Seven patients were treated with laparoscopic hernioplasty, and one underwent mesh-plug repair. Using video recordings, the laparoscopic findings during RALP and laparoscopic hernioplasty were compared among all patients. Results: Seven of 59 patients (11.9%) developed an inguinal hernia. One patient had a pre-existing pantaloon inguinal hernia at the time of RALP. Eleven inguinal lesions in the seven patients who underwent laparoscopic hernioplasty were reviewed, and all were indirect inguinal hernias. Conclusion: A main factor in the development of inguinal hernia after RALP could be a combination of outer-side intact layers and inner-side hard scar of the inguinal ring, which seems like “out swing door”.