The Trans REctussheath PrePeritoneal (TREPP) mesh repair was introduced in 2006 to decrease the risk of postoperative inguinal pain in hernia surgery. For the repair of a recurrent inguinal hernia after a primary TREPP an alternative open anterior route (Lichtenstein) may seem the most logical option, but coincides with an increased risk of chronic postoperative inguinal pain. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a second TREPP procedure to repair a recurrent inguinal hernia after an initial TREPP repair. The hypothesis was that the technique is possible and does not lead to an increased risk of postoperative pain.

Since the development and introduction of TREPP in 2006, TREPP has been the standard operation technique for all patients who present in St. Jansdal Hospital with an inguinal hernia. The electronic patient files of all consecutive patients who were operated at the St Jansdal hospital via TREPP between January 2006 and December 2013 were retrospectively investigated. This patient list was retrieved by an electronic search using the assigned operation codes. Adult patients who had developed a recurrent inguinal hernia and had undergone a re-TREPP were included in this study. A case report form was filled in for each patient that underwent a re-TREPP. Baseline data such as operation time, Body Mass Index (BMI), operation technique, number of conversions, aetiology of the recurrence, type of anesthesia and American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classification were retrospectively reviewed through patient files and operation reports. Co-morbidities were extracted from the files. Information on short term complications was taken from the notes of telephone consultation 2 and 30 days postoperatively, which is the local standard protocol for follow-up. Patients were invited for a long-term follow-up (>30 days postoperative) at the outpatient department for physical examination, or they were visited at home by the investigator. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients who were included for a long term follow-up. A case report form was used for each patient, in order to standardize the investigation. All patients were asked if they experienced any pain or discomfort. If there was pain, the Visual Analogue Scale and Pain Disability Index questionnaire were filled in. All patients were asked if sexual complaints occurred since the operation. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients who were clinically evaluated. Recurrent inguinal hernia was defined as a reappearance of the inguinal hernia, diagnosed by physical examination (a reducible bulge with positive Valsalva).

This was a retrospective case series. Since the numbers were small, no statistical analysis was performed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients who had developed a recurrent inguinal hernia and had undergone a re-TREPP.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children (age <18 years)
• Exclusion criterium for long term follow up: no informed consent obtained.

From all re-TREPP patients (n=19), the mean age at time of the re-operation was 68 years (range 56-86 years). All included patients, 18 males and 1 female, were classified with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification ≤3.