EVALUATION OF OUTCOMES OF eTEP(EXTENDED TEP) VS TAPP: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL IN TERTIARY CARE INSTITUTE OF EASTERN INDIA drmanojk@aiimspatna.org

195-02

EVALUATION OF OUTCOMES OF eTEP(EXTENDED TEP) VS TAPP: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL IN TERTIARY CARE INSTITUTE OF EASTERN INDIA

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India

Oral or Poster

Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most commonly performed surgeries worldwide, particularly in males. Minimally invasive techniques like Transabdominal Preperitoneal (TAPP) repair have been widely adopted due to reduced postoperative pain and quicker recovery. The Extended Totally Extraperitoneal (eTEP) technique, a newer evolution of the TEP approach, offers enhanced visualization, ergonomic port placement, and avoids peritoneal entry. However, comparative evidence between eTEP and TAPP, especially from Indian tertiary centers, remains limited. Aim and Objectives: To compare eTEP and TAPP in terms of operative time, and assess differences in surgeon workload, postoperative pain, patient comfort, complication rates, hospital stay, and hernia recurrence.

This randomized controlled non-inferiority trial was conducted at AIIMS Patna over one year. Seventy-two male patients with uncomplicated inguinal hernias were randomized equally into eTEP (n=36) and TAPP (n=36) groups. Bilateral hernias were counted as separate procedures, yielding 81 cases. Data on operative time, NASA Task Load Index (surgeon workload), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, Carolina Comfort Scale (CCS), surgical site occurrences (SSOs), hospital stay, and recurrence (at 3 and 6 months) were collected and analyzed.

eTEP had a significantly shorter operative time (63.5 ± 11.1 vs. 82.1 ± 25.5 min; p<0.001). Surgeon workload was lower with eTEP. Postoperative VAS and CCS scores favored eTEP at 48 hours and 1 week. SSOs and hospital stay were similar. No recurrences were noted in either group at 6 months.

eTEP is a safe, efficient, and ergonomically superior alternative to TAPP for inguinal hernia repair, supporting its broader clinical use.