The effect of absorbable vs. non-absorbable fixation on early complications in laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal herniorrhaphy

Abstract

Aim: This study has compared the postoperative pain, scrotal edema, seroma, bleeding or other complications between two patient groups getting laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) herniorrhaphy and where absorbable and non-absorbable fixations (3/0 prolene suture) were used in mesh fixation compared with such complications as hematoma, urinary retention, and recurrence.

Materials and Methods: 44 male patients getting laparoscopic TAPP herniorrhaphy method were included in this study. According to the material used for mesh fixation, they were divided into two groups getting absorbable or non-absorbable fixations. The age, gender, hernia type and direction according to the Nyhus Classification, and the fixation material used intraoperatively were all recorded for patients.  1^st week, 1^st month and 6^th month postoperative checks were made. Early complications at the postoperative period were compared between groups.  Patients gave written and informed consent before surgery.

Results: Of the 44 patients, absorbable fixation devices were placed in 27 and non-absorbable ones in 17. At the 1^st week follow-up, scrotal edema was diagnosticated in 3 patients in the absorbable group and in 2 in the non-absorbable; seroma in 5 patients in the absorbable group and in 2 in the non-absorbable; mild pain in 3 patients in the absorbable group and in 5 in the non-absorbable. A significant relationship was not statistiscally found between the presence or absence of scrotal edema, or of seroma, pain intensity and the fixation material used (p>0.05).

Conclusion: A significant difference was not found when early complications were statistically compared between the patients getting laparoscopic TAPP herniorrhaphy and having used absorbable and non-absorbable fixation devices. It seems both fixation materials can be used safely.