Stoppa procedure in bilateral inguinal hernia.

The Stoppa procedure is a very safe repair of bilateral inguinal hernia, but it requires a learning period to achieve optimal results. We present a study with our experience and learning curve for this technique. Two hundred and ten patients with bilateral inguinal hernia (420 hernias) were repaired with Stoppa procedure from January 1995 to December 2003 with an average age of 57.2 years (range 28-89 years), with 8 women and 202 men (96%). Emergency surgery was performed for incarcerated hernia in six cases (2.8%). The rates of recurrent hernias, concomitant disease and associated surgical techniques were similar in all the years. Operative time decreased from 100 min (1995) to 61-66 min (2001-2003). Drain remained in place in 100% (1995), and 0% (2003). Regional anaesthesia was performed in 25% (1995) and 80-90% in the last years; hospital stay decreased from 5.1 to 1.2 days (2003), and morbidity from 50% (1995) to 12-16% (P<0.0001). There were three recurrences, two in the first 30 cases (6.6%), and one in the remaining 180 (0.5%) (4-92 months follow-up). The procedure was introduced in 1995 by one surgeon, performing 100% of cases, being accepted progressively by other surgeons. The first 25-30 cases of a surgical technique are the learning curve, with the highest rate of morbidity, time, technical and operative difficulties, and long hospital stay. As a result of the first surgeon's experience, some modifications of the technique are developed and results improved.