Effects of obesity on outcomes of laparoscopic TAPP inguinal hernia repairs: a retrospective analysis

Introduction: Inguinal hernia repair, particularly the Transabdominal Preperitoneal (TAPP) technique, is common worldwide.Obesity (BMI ≥ 30) can influence surgical outcomes, potentially leading to longer operative times, higher complication rates, and prolonged hospital stays.Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of obesity on surgical outcomes following laparoscopic TAPP inguinal hernia repair.Material and methods: This retrospective study reviewed data from patients who underwent laparoscopic TAPP inguinal hernia repair between September 2021 and December 2023.Included were patients aged 18 years or older who had elective unilateral TAPP repair for primary inguinal hernia.Patients were categorized based on BMI: obese (BMI ≥ 30) and nonobese (BMI < 30).Outcomes assessed included recurrence rate, surgical site infections (SSIs), operative time, and length of hospital stay.Data analysis was performed using SAS Studio. Results:We analyzed 201 patients: 30 (14.8%) were obese and 171 (85.2%) non-obese.Recurrence rates were 6.67% in obese and 2.35% in non-obese patients (p = 0.222).No SSIs were observed in obese patients, compared to 1.76% in non-obese patients (p = 1.000).Mean operative time was 78.87 minutes for obese and 70.28 minutes for non-obese patients (p = 0.203).Hospital stays averaged 3.13 days for obese and 3.05 days for non-obese patients (p = 0.086).Conclusions: There were no significant differences in recurrence rates, SSIs, operative time, or hospital stay between obese and non-obese patients.Appropriate surgical expertise and perioperative management can result in comparable outcomes for both groups.Further research is recommended to understand obesity's impact on hernia recurrence.