Preoperative Versus Intraoperative Diagnosis of Inguinal Hernia and Detection of Contralateral Occult Hernia During Laparoscopic Transabdominal Preperitoneal Repair

Contralateral occult hernia; Inguinal hernia; Laparoscopy; Myopectineal orifice; Transabdominal preperitoneal repair.

Dr Ravi Goyal
Associate Professor, Department of General
Surgery, SBKS Medical Institute and Research
Centre, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be
University), Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

Dr Honeypalsinh H. Maharaul
Professor, Department of General Surgery,
SBKS Medical Institute and Research Centre,
Sumandeep Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be
University), Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

Dr Sahil Molvi3
Resident , Department of General Surgery,
SBKS Medical Institute and Research Centre,
Sumandeep Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be
University), Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

Dr Chirag Hiren 4
Resident , Department of General Surgery,
SBKS Medical Institute and Research Centre,
Sumandeep Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be
University), Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

Dr Vipul Gurjar5*
Professor, Department of General Surgery,
SBKS Medical Institute and Research Centre,
Sumandeep Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be
University), Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

Corresponding author: Dr Vipul Gurjar,
Department of General Surgery, SBKS Medical
Institute and Research Centre, Sumandeep
Vidyapeeth, Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

Received:26-06-2026
Revised:29-07-2026
Accepted:03-08-2026

European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry (2026) 34 (7s), 921–926

Preoperative Versus Intraoperative Diagnosis of Inguinal Hernia and Detection of Contralateral Occult Hernia During Laparoscopic Transabdominal Preperitoneal Repair

Introduction: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the commonest general surgical operations, and accurate characterisation of the defect guides the choice of operation1. Clinical examination alone may misclassify the type or side of a hernia, and a clinically silent defect on the opposite groin is easily missed2. The laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) approach allows direct inspection of both myopectineal orifices during a single procedure3. Aim: To determine whether the preoperative clinical diagnosis of inguinal hernia differs from the intraoperative diagnosis made during laparoscopic TAPP repair, and to identify contralateral occult hernia in patients planned for unilateral repair. Materials and methods: This prospective observational study enrolled 32 adults with symptomatic uncomplicated inguinal hernia at a tertiary teaching hospital over about 18 months. Each patient underwent standardised clinical examination followed by laparoscopic TAPP repair using a three-port technique. Preoperative and intraoperative findings were compared, and the contralateral groin was inspected in every case. Data were summarised as frequencies and percentages. Results: The preoperative and intraoperative diagnoses matched in 24 patients (75%) and differed in 8 patients (25%). Among 21 patients planned for unilateral repair, a contralateral occult hernia was found in 1 (4.76%). The operative plan changed in 1 patient (3.125%), who underwent bilateral repair after an occult defect was detected. No conversion to open surgery was required. Conclusion: Laparoscopic TAPP repair verifies the clinical diagnosis more precisely and permits detection and simultaneous repair of a contralateral occult hernia, sparing the patient a second operation and anaesthetic exposure.

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