Abstract

Abstract Aim Re-laparoscopic repair of recurrent inguinal hernia following previous laparoscopic approach can provide similar clinical outcome when completed with the appropriate level of surgical experience. Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of redo laparoscopy, and document any unexpected new perioperative findings potentially overlooked during initial surgery. Material and Methods The clinical data of all patients who underwent re-laparoscopic repair (TEP or TAPP) for post-laparoscopic inguinal hernia recurrences between October 2011 and November 2023 was retrieved from a prospectively maintained institutional database. Results Twenty-nine patients (4 females), mean age of 50.9 years old, were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-three pre-operative diagnosis of inguinal hernia recurrence were made. TAPP technique for redo was the preferred approach in 23 patients (79.3%). Inadequate mesh placement during the first repair was the main factor contributing to recurrences. No intraoperative complications were encountered and there were no conversions to open. Fifty-one groin hernias were repaired, including 33 recurrent inguinal hernias, nine primary inguinal hernias on the contralateral side, and nine new incidental defects found in six patients (three femoral, one Laugier’s, one pre-vascular, four obturator hernias). Five of them were identified on the same side of previous laparoscopic repair. Four of those hernias were found in three female (75%) and five in three male patients (12%). We did not record any postoperative complication. Conclusions Re-laparoscopic repair of recurrent inguinal hernia post laparoscopy is safe and allows simultaneous treatment of incidental new defects, including those probably overlooked during the initial procedure from suboptimal groin dissection.