Hernia - laparoscopic surgery (review)

NICE has made the following recommendations about the use of laparoscopic surgery to treat inguinal hernia. Laparoscopic surgery can be used as an option for repairing inguinal hernia. As with all surgery, there are some risks involved, which may include serious problems just after the operation, p ...

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NICE has made the following recommendations about the use of laparoscopic surgery to treat inguinal hernia.

Laparoscopic surgery can be used as an option for repairing inguinal hernia. As with all surgery, there are some risks involved, which may include serious problems just after the operation, pain or numbness in the area of the operation, and the hernia coming back. Your doctor should tell you about the risks and benefits of each of the types of surgery (open surgery, or laparoscopic surgery using either the TAPP or TEP methods) before you make a decision on which method to have. In helping you make this decision you and your doctor should particularly consider:

• how well you are likely to cope with a general anaesthetic
• whether this is your first hernia, or whether it has come back or affects both sides of the groin
• whether an open or keyhole operation would work best for your particular hernia
• how much experience the surgeon has in the three techniques.

NICE has also said that laparoscopic surgery for inguinal hernia repair by TAPP or TEP should only be performed by specially trained surgeons who regularly carry out the procedure.

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