Occult hernias and bilateral endoscopic total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair: is there a need for prophylactic repair? : Results of endoscopic extraperitoneal repair over a period of 10 years.

BACKGROUND: An advantage of the endoscopic total extraperitoneal approach over the conventional hernia repair is detection of an unsuspected, asymptomatic hernia on the contralateral side. A high incidence of occult contralateral hernias has been reported in the literature. However, few studies have examined the incidence of development of a hernia on the healthy side evaluated previously during an endoscopic unilateral hernia repair. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of development of a contralateral hernia after a previous bilateral exploration. The need for a prophylactic contralateral repair is also addressed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the results of 822 endoscopic total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repairs done in 634 patients over a period of 10 years from May 1993 to 2003. Incidence of hernia undetected clinically and during previous contralateral repair was assessed over a follow up period ranging from 10 to 82 months.

RESULTS: About 7.97% of bilateral hernias were clinically occult hernias. Only 1.12% of unilateral hernia repairs (who had undergone a contralateral evaluation at surgery) subsequently developed a hernia on the other side.

CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic approach to inguinal hernia repair is an excellent tool to detect and treat occult contralateral hernias. The incidence of hernia occurring at the contralateral side after a previous bilateral exploration is low, hence a prophylactic repair on the contralateral side is not recommended on a routine basis.