Randomized Single-center Study on Laparoscopic Groin Hernia Repair by a 3D ENDOLAP Visible With and Without LiquiBand Fix 8 Mesh Fixation

Inguinal hernia is a common disease with a high lifetime risk; 27 % for men and 3% for women. These hernias can be categorized as lateral, medial or femoral according to the classification of the European Hernia Society. The manifestations may vary from an asymptomatic swelling till an incarcerated or strangulated hernia requiring an urgent operation.

The introduction of mesh reinforcement for groin hernia repair has resulted in reducing the rate of recurrences and chronic pain. Moreover, laparoscopic repair techniques made it possible to place the mesh in de pre-peritoneal space by a transperitoneal (TAPP) or pre-peritoneal (TEP) approach. These minimally invasive techniques are not only associated with less chronic pain of numbness, but also with an earlier return to normal activities or work. A favor for one of the two techniques has not yet been proven.

Also, the repair of groin hernias always goes along with a discussion about placing the optimal mesh, the optimum mesh size and the optimal fixation method of the mesh. There are a lot of meshes available of different materials, in different sizes and with different properties.

The majority of all meshed need to be fixed to the abdominal wall. Meshes as the anatomic ProGrip Laparoscopic self-fixating mesh (Covidien) has been developed with self-fixating properties due to the polylactic acid micro-grips on one side of the mesh which secures the mesh without requiring any other form of fixation. While the ENDOLAP 3D visible mesh (Dynamesh) has been developed with a pre-shaped form that fits the defect naturally and therefore makes a fixation redundant.

However, no consensus on the best method of mesh fixation or even non-fixation can be found in the common literature. Penetrating fixation methods of the mesh have a strong positioning as result, but for inguinal hernia, mesh fixation using titanium tacks with or without sutures clearly indicated more development of postoperative pain and discomfort for the patient. Current recommendations are to avoid penetrating fixation and replace this by either no fixation or fixation with glue. This will decrease pain but should not risk a less stable mesh fixation ongoing with recurrence due to mesh shifting of mesh shrinkage. It is known that the majority of implanted meshes shrink to an extent, which might be of disadvantage for the patient. This has already been demonstrated in several animal studies, but clinical information on the mesh shrinkage is rare and mostly a result from revisional surgery.