Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42579033›Full record

Observational studyHernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery2026

Tissue repair: suture closure of the internal inguinal ring in rTAPP.

U A Dietz, R Frey, M Heimke, A Lalos, U Pfefferkorn, D C Chen

Abstract readObservational Study
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In one paragraph

Observational study in Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

U A Dietz *Department of Visceral, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Olten, Baslerstrasse 150, Olten, 4600, Switzerland. ulrich.dietz@spital.so.ch.
R Frey *Department of Visceral, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Olten, Baslerstrasse 150, Olten, 4600, Switzerland.
M HeimkeInstitute of Anatomy, Center for Clinical Anatomy, Kurt-Semm Center for laparoscopic and robotic surgery, Kiel University, Otto-Hahn-Platz 8, 24118, Kiel, Germany.
A LalosDepartment of Visceral, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Olten, Baslerstrasse 150, Olten, 4600, Switzerland.
U PfefferkornDepartment of Visceral, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Olten, Baslerstrasse 150, Olten, 4600, Switzerland.
D C ChenDavid Geffen School of Medicine, Lichtenstein-Amid Hernia Clinic, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. DCChen@mednet.ucla.edu.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRecurrence rates and chronic postoperative inguinal pain after groin hernia repair have remained largely unchanged over the past three decades, irrespective of surgical approach. While hernia defect closure is incorporated in some open repair techniques, closure of the internal inguinal ring during endoscopic repair has not been adopted, primarily due to concerns regarding nerve entrapment. New robotic platforms provide enhanced visualization and instrument articulation, potentially enabling safe internal ring suture closure.

methodsThis prospective observational study included 43 patients with large groin hernias who underwent robotic transabdominal preperitoneal (rTAPP) inguinal hernia repair with partial suture closure of the internal inguinal ring as an adjunct to mesh implantation. Patient demographics, operative details, perioperative complications, postoperative pain, and incidence of neuropathic pain were analyzed. Quality of life was assessed using the EuraHS Quality of Life (QoL) score.

resultsA total of 56 hernia sites were repaired (26 unilateral, 30 bilateral). 66% were EHS L3 hernias, 25% were inguinoscrotal, and 7.7% were recurrent. Postoperative pain decreased significantly from postoperative day 1 to day 2 (VAS score of 1.04 vs. 2.07, p = 0.0002). No patient developed neuropathic pain. The most common complication was seroma (12%). Persistent nociceptive pain beyond 30 days occurred in one patient (1.8%). All domains of the EuraHS QoL score demonstrated significant postoperative improvement.

conclusionsPartial suture closure of the internal inguinal ring during rTAPP appears feasible and safe as an adjunct to mesh implantation in selected patients. Detailed anatomical knowledge and meticulous surgical technique are essential to prevent nerve injury. Randomized controlled studies are warranted to define appropriate patient selection criteria.

Indexed as

Hernia, InguinalHerniorrhaphyRobotic Surgical ProceduresSuture TechniquesAdultAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNeuralgiaPostoperative ComplicationsPostoperative PainProspective StudiesQuality of LifeRecurrenceEndoscopic groin hernia repairInternal inguinal ringRobotic groin hernia repairrTAPP inguinalTissue repair

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.