BACKGROUND: The role of laparoscopic @entity169 is controversial. The aim of this study was to find out whether it is justified to switch from the predominantly modified Bassini repair which the authors had been using to laparoscopic repair. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial in 120 eligible @entity1 admitted for elective hernia repair in a university hospital. RESULTS: Sixty @entity1 underwent laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal mesh repair; the other 60 @entity1 had an open repair, mostly with the modified Bassini technique. Operative time for laparoscopic repair was significantly longer, mean (s.d.) 95 (28) min vs 67 (27) min (p < 0.001). The mean analogue @entity158 score during the first 24 h after surgery was 36.2 (20.2) in the laparoscopic group and 49.3 (24.9) in the open group (p = 0.006). The requirement for narcotic injections and postoperative disability in walking 10 m and getting out of bed were also significantly less following laparoscopic repair. The postoperative hospital stay was not significantly different, mean 2.6 (1.2) days for laparoscopic repair and 3.0 (1.5) days for open repair (p = 0.1). @entity1 were able to perform light activities without @entity158 or discomfort sooner after laparoscopic repair, median interquartile range 8 (5-14) days vs 14 (8-19) days (p = 0.013). @entity1 also resumed heavy activities sooner, but not significantly, after laparoscopic repair, median 28 (17-60) days vs 35 (20-56) days (p = 0.25). The return to work was not significantly different, median 14 (8-25) days after laparoscopic repair and 15 (11-21) days after open repair (p = 0.14). After a mean follow-up of 32 months one @entity1 developed a recurrent hernia 3 months after a laparoscopic repair. Laparoscopic repair was more costly than open repair by approximately  400. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic @entity169 was associated with less early postoperative @entity158 and disability and earlier return to full activities than open repair, but there were no benefits regarding postoperative hospital stay and return to work; laparoscopic repair was also more costly.

Laparoscopic vs open XXXX . A randomized, controlled trial.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients', 'patient'] @entity169 :: ('MESH:D006552', 'Disease') :: ['inguinal hernia repair'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['pain']
@entity169 :: (MESH:D006552,Disease) :: ['inguinal hernia repair']
