Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair for emergency groin hernia: A single-center experience

Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair enables inspection of the entire peritoneal cavity and both inguinal regions without additional dissection. Although widely used electively, evidence on emergency strangulated or incarcerated groin hernias remains limited. We evaluated the feasibility, safety, and short-term outcomes of emergency TAPP repair in adults. We retrospectively reviewed adult patients who underwent emergency laparoscopic TAPP repair for incarcerated or strangulated groin hernias at our hospital from January 2022 to December 2024. Data collected included demographics, hernia type and contents, operative details, and postoperative outcomes. Thirty-five patients underwent successful emergency TAPP repair, including 30 inguinal and five femoral hernias. Mean operative time was 96.9 ± 21.7 min (range: 75–135), and mean postoperative length of stay was 3.8 ± 1.3 days (range: 2–6). The small bowel was the most frequent hernia content (62.8%), followed by the omentum (31.4%). All incarcerated organs were preserved without bowel resection, and no conversion to open surgery was required. Early postoperative morbidity was low, with one case (2.86%) of urinary retention and no hematoma, vascular injury, or surgical site infection. At 1-month follow-up, three patients (8.6%) developed seroma and two (5.7%) reported groin pain; no mesh infection, ischemic orchitis, or hernia recurrence was observed. In experienced hands, emergency laparoscopic TAPP repair for incarcerated and strangulated groin hernias in adults is feasible and safe, providing favorable short-term outcomes.