Aim of the study: The aim of this prospective non-randomized study was to compare Stoppa's technique to laparoscopic approach in totally extraperitoneal repair of bilateral inguinal hernia.
Patients and method: From December 1996 to December 1998, 117 consecutive patients with 234 hernias underwent either Stoppa's technique (74 patients) or a totally extraperitoneal laparoscopic approach (43 patients). Patients were randomized in two groups according to the surgeon to whom they were referred. All patients were reviewed in December 1999.
Results: There was no mortality. Complications occurred in 3% of patients after Stoppa's technique (group S) and in 4% of patients in the laparoscopic group (group L). The conversion rate was 7% (3 cases). Postoperative analgesia use, hospital stay, and duration of disability were significantly shorter in group L, the cost was lower, but the operating time was significantly longer than in group S. Recurrence rates were similar in the two groups: 2% in group S, 1.1% in group L.
Conclusion: The laparoscopic approach appears to be preferable to Stoppa's technique in the treatment of bilateral inguinal hernia.