A Prospective Study Comparing Telescopic vs. Balloon Dissection in Single Incision Laparoscopic Inguinal Herniorraphy (SILTELESCOPIC)

Our recent prospective randomized controlled study comparing single-port vs. multiport laparoscopic total extraperitoneal inguinal herniorraphy (NCT 01660048) demonstrated superiority of the single-port technique in reducing post-op pain/analgesic requirements, quicker return to work/normal physical activities and improved cosmetic scar scores. During this study all patients underwent the initial extraperitoneal dissection with the distension balloon. However, the balloon itself costs AU $380 per device which represents a significant percentage of the overall cost of the procedure (when the hospital/operating rooms cost is approximately AU $2500 for a unilateral laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair) especially if only unilateral inguinal herniorraphy is performed. The European Hernia Society Guidelines encourage the use of the distension balloon for the initial distension/dissection of the extraperitoneal space especially during the learning curve. This recommendation arises from the fact that during the conventional multiport repair the umbilical port allows only the insertion of the laparoscope and the extraperitoneal space cannot easily be dissected with the scope itself, especially in patients with well-developed linea alba extending down to the pubic symphysis, and the camera itself, if used as dissection device, would become smudged and it would have to be repeatedly withdrawn for cleaning. Yet this must occur since the extraperitoneal space must be dissected in the midline sufficiently for safe insertion of two additional 5 mm ports for insertion of dissecting instruments in order to complete the extraperitoneal space dissection and the repair. With single incision laparoscopic surgery the use of the Triport™ system ensure that the port can be place under direct vision into the extraperitoneal space when the scope and two dissecting instruments can be safely inserted at the outset. In this way the extraperitoneal space can be dissected under direct vision. T