Influence of the hernia sac treatment method on the occurrence of seroma after laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether transection of the hernia sac during laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair (TAPP) affects the occurrence of seroma, and to explore the risk factors for seroma. Methods: In total, 330 consecutive male patients with indirect inguinal hernia who underwent TAPP repair at the Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital from January 2020 to June 2021 were retrospectively enrolled in this study. According to the intraoperative hernia sac treatment, patients were divided into a completely reduced sac group and a transected sac group. Results: Among the 330 inguinal hernia male patients, 240 received hernia sac reduction and 90 received hernia sac transection. Fifty-four patients developed seroma, with an incidence of 16.4%. In patients with a hernia defect measuring ≥3 cm and extension into the scrotum, the difference in the incidence of seroma between the two treatment groups approached significance (P = 0.052). The risk factors for seroma, high body mass index, hernia sac ≥3 cm, extension of the hernia into the scrotum and operation time were significantly associated with postoperative seroma. Conclusion: This study showed that the incidence of seroma after TAPP was as high as 16.4%. For patients with a hernia sac that is too large and descended extends into the scrotum, transection may be better than complete dissection of the hernia sac and preventive measures should be taken for patients with high body mass index, hernia sac measuring ≥3 cm, and a high risk of the hernia extending into the scrotum.

Keywords

• Indirect inguinal hernia
• Seroma
• Laparoscopy
• Hernia sac
• TAPP