Clinical Trial Summary
Inguinal hernia repair can be considered as one of the most frequent surgeries in general
surgery worldwide. Surgical hernia repair procedures can generally be divided into minimally
invasive (TEP, TAPP) and open techniques (e.g. Lichtenstein) and are equivalent with some
advantages and disadvantages. The posterior wall of the inguinal channel is usually
reinforced by a synthetic mesh, while non-mesh based surgeries have been steadily abandoned.
Two of the most frequent complications following hernia surgery are hernia recurrence and
chronic groin pain. Latter can occur in up to 10%. Both represent a considerable
socio-economic impact. While different surgical hernia procedures and mesh fixation
techniques have been evaluated as influential factors, the impact of mesh position and mesh
deformation on hernia recurrence and chronic groin pain is unknown. This may be even more
important, since endoscopic and laparoscopic hernia surgery procedures (TEP, TAPP) carry the
risk of suboptimal mesh positioning, due to the final steps at the end of the surgery, where
the mesh position is not under direct visual control.
Until now direct mesh visualization was impossible. A recent development of MRI visible
meshes (DynaMesh® visible) provides the opportunity to evaluate mesh position and deformation
after hernia surgery. In case of suspicious clinical hernia recurrence or postoperative
chronic groin pain the mesh position can now directly be identified with Magnetic Resonance
(MR) imaging preventing unnecessary explorative surgery.
In this study the investigators plan to perform MRI scans to assess mesh position and
deformation 90 days postoperatively and correlate it with the clinical status and pain score
(VAS) of the patient. In order to allow for an optimal comparison of the post-operative mesh
position in relation to the operative technique, patients will be randomized to minimally
invasive (TEP, TAPP) and open techniques (e.g. Lichtenstein). To the investigators knowledge
this is the first study investigating the impact of the three most common surgical hernia
procedures on postoperative mesh position and deformation and its correlation to the clinical
findings focussing on hernia recurrence and chronic groin pain.