Preliminary results of a prospective randomized trial of laparoscopic onlay versus conventional inguinal herniorrhaphy

Background To compare laparoscopic onlay hernia repair with conventional surgery, 61 patients were randomized to either open or laparoscopic surgery. Methods Traditional repairs were done according to the surgeons' preference. Laparoscopic repairs utilized a modified onlay technique with a meshed prototype prosthesis. Results Mean operative time was 62.5 minutes for the laparoscopic group and 80.9 minutes for the open group. Each group had five complications. There were two conversions from laparoscopic to open surgery. Individuals undergoing laparoscopic surgery reported a mean intake of 5 doses of an oral narcotic analgesic versus 16 doses in the open group. Return to normal activity (nonstrenuous) was 7.5 days in the laparoscopic group and 18.5 days in the open group. After a mean follow-up of 8 months (range 1 to 14), there have been two recurrences in the open group and one in the laparoscopic group. Conclusion Laparoscopic onlay inguinal herniorrhaphy is a viable alternative for those who prefer a minimally invasive treatment for this disease.