The mean operation time was not statistically significantly different between the two groups.
Postoperative pain, as described by the patients at 12 and 24 hours after operation, differed significantly in the two groups. At 12 hours it was 54.1 (+/- 13.1) in the open group and 38.9 (+/- 8.2) in the TAPP group. At 24 hours it was 37.2 (+/- 11.4) in the open group and 20.9 (+/- 8.7) in the TAPP group.
At 48 hours and on the 7th day after operation, postoperative pain was not statistically significantly different in the two groups.
The mean consumption of analgesics, although lower in the TAPP group, did not differ significantly between the groups.
In the open group there were two cases with postoperative complications (one with scrotal haematoma and one with superficial wound infection). Both were treated effectively without the need for a second operation.
In the TAPP group two patients were readmitted to the hospital because of pain, swelling and purulent discharge in the inguinal region. One patient was cured after receiving antibiotics, but the second had to be operated on and have the mesh removed.
The duration of postoperative hospitalisation was 2.1 days (range: 1 - 5) in the open group and 1.6 days (range: 1 - 3) in the TAPP group. The difference was statistically significant, (p<0.05).
The recurrence rate was zero for both groups during the follow-up period.