Lightweight partially absorbable monofilament mesh (polypropylene/poliglecaprone 25) for TAPP inguinal hernia repair - Initial experience

Objective: An ideal mesh should produce slight foreign-body reactions and be compatible with the human organisms. Studies focusing on these aspects indicate that the use of mesh with less nonabsorbable material may reduce postoperative complications. insofar the web structure and its rigidity play an important role in compatibility. We evaluated retrospectively the patients of the past 1 year, who underwent laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) hernioplasty (without the use any trocar and/or instrument of 10 mm in diameter) focusing attention on the feasibility of the technique and on the incidence of complications, especially those possibly related to the new type of mesh implanted. Methods: Between June 2004 and September 2005, 76 patients have been operated on by using TAPP hernioplasty (bilateral or unilateral) without any 10 mm instrument/optic/trocar, and by applying a lightweight composite mesh fixed by "glues" (fibrin sealant and N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate). Results: The mean overall operative time was 55.57 ( +/- 15.2) minutes. All the procedures have been performed on a day surgery basis. We have registered any kind of major or minor morbidity (early or late), relapse, prosthesis rejection, and/or infection. We have registered no severe pain at 10 days; whereas a mild pain is still reported in 10.5% of our cases at a 3-month follow-up. The mean follow-up is 12.4 ( +/- 5.1; range 4 to 19) months. Conclusions: On the basis of this our initial experience, TAPP hernioplasty with a lightweight composite mesh is feasible, effective, and easy to perform by experienced hands, with good results. The well-known characteristics of a mini-invasive and gentle approach, together with the type of mesh implanted and its fixation of related glues, might explain the encouraging results of our experience.