Experience--the key factor in successful laparoscopic total extraperitoneal and transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair.

To emphasize the importance of the experience of the operating team, we compared the two largest materials in the total extraperitoneal (TEP) and the transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) procedures in Poland. We performed 1225 procedures on 1110 patients (368 TEP and 809 TAPP). The experience of the operating teams measured by the mean number of procedures/surgeon was comparable. The mean operating time and hospitalization duration did not differ markedly. There was no procedure-related mortality. Intraoperative complications were infrequent. The ratio of early local complication (neuralgia, hematoma, and seroma) was slightly higher in the TEP group. We observed a higher recurrence rate following the TAPP procedure (2.84% vs 1.92%). However, after excluding the learning period this dropped markedly to much lower, comparable values (TEP: 0.98%; TAPP: 1.14%). In laparoscopic hernia repair the experience of the operating team seems to be more important than choice of technique (TEP vs TAPP).