Laparoscopic versus open groin hernia repair: are we getting closer to specific clinical recommendations?

Excerpt

The choice between a laparoscopic versus an open mesh repair for a groin hernia has been debated for years and the current evidence-based guidelines from the European Hernia Society recommend that both techniques can be used, but that a laparoscopic repair is followed by less acute post-operative pain, a shorter convalescence and, potentially, a lower risk of chronic pain, while there is no difference in the risk of a recurrence [1]. Since there may be a risk of rare but serious intra-abdominal complications with the laparoscopic repair and since the intra-operative costs may be higher, as well as the demand for expertise, there is still a need for more well-defined recommendations for groin hernia surgery regarding the type of procedure and on who is going to perform the operation and in which patients? …