Laparoscopic bilateral inguinal hernia repair: Should it be the preferred technique?

Table 1 Prospective randomized trials regarding bilateral hernias

Ref.	Journal	Title of study	Compared techniques	Patients	Subject
Sarli et al[20], 2001	Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech	Simultaneous repair of bilateral inguinal hernias: A prospective, randomized study of open, tension-free vs laparoscopic approach	TAPP vs Lichtenstein	43 (20 vs 23)	Surgical procedure, postoperative pain and course, follow-up, cost analysis
Mahon et al[21], 2003	Surg Endosc	Prospective randomized trial of laparoscopic (transabdominal preperitoneal) vs open (mesh) repair for bilateral and recurrent inguinal hernia	TAPP vs Lichtenstein	120 (60 vs 60)	Surgical procedure, postoperative pain and course, recovery
Ielpo et al[22], 2018	Am J Surg	A prospective randomized study comparing laparoscopic TAPP vs Lichtenstein repair for bilateral inguinal hernias	TAPP vs Lichtenstein	134 (61 vs 73)	Surgical procedure, postoperative course, recovery, quality of life, chronic pain
Bignell et al[23], 2012	Hernia	Prospective randomized trial of laparoscopic (TAPP) vs open (mesh) repair for bilateral and recurrent inguinal hernia: incidence of chronic groin pain and impact on quality of life: Results of 10-yr follow-up	TAPP vs Lichtenstein	120 (60 vs 60)	Chronic groin pain, quality of life
Hynes et al[24], 2006	J Am Coll Surg	Cost effectiveness of laparoscopic vs open mesh hernia operation: Results of a department of veterans affairs randomized clinical trial	All laparoscopic vs all open	1395 (687 vs 708)	Quality of life, cost-effectiveness
Ielpo et al[25], 2018	Ann Surg	Cost-effectiveness of randomized study of laparoscopic vs open bilateral inguinal hernia repair	TAPP vs Lichtenstein	165 (81 vs 84)	Quality of life, cost-effectiveness, cost analysis

TAPP: Transabdominal preperitoneal.

Table 2 Recurrence rates

Ref.	Patients	Laparoscopic	Open
Sarli et al[20], 2001	43 (20 vs 23)	0%	4.34%
Mahon et al[21], 2003	120 (60 vs 60)	6.7%	1.7%
Ielpo et al[22], 2018	134 (61 vs 73)	6.6%	5.5%
Bignell et al[23], 2012	120 (60 vs 60)	7%	8%
Hynes et al[24], 20061	1395 (687 vs 708)	8%	4%a
Neumayer et al[26], 2004	353 (175 vs 178)	4.57%	2.80%
Ielpo et al[25], 2018	165 (81 vs 84)	7.4%	4.8%

¹Recurrence rates for both unilateral and bilateral hernias.

^aP < 0.01.