Safety and Acceptability of Day-Care Surgery Versus Short-Stay Surgery in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Totally Extraperitoneal (TEP) Inguinal Hernia Repair.

INTRODUCTION

Inguinal hernia repair is the most common general surgical procedure worldwide. Laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair offers the advantages of reduced pain, faster recovery, and early return to activity. With increasing focus on enhanced recovery and cost-effectiveness, day-care surgery is being explored as an alternative to short-stay admission. This study evaluated the safety, efficacy, and acceptability of day-care versus short-stay TEP inguinal hernia repair.

METHODS

A prospective randomized study was conducted at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh, from April 2023 to March 2025. Forty-one patients with uncomplicated symptomatic inguinal hernia were enrolled: 16 underwent day-care surgery (Group A), and 25 underwent short-stay surgery (Group B). All patients underwent laparoscopic TEP repair under general anesthesia. Demographics, hernia characteristics, operative time, complications, postoperative pain, ambulation, return to work, and patient satisfaction were assessed.

RESULTS

Both groups were comparable in age, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Grade, and operative duration. Right-sided and lateral hernias predominated, with larger hernias in Group A (p = 0.0028). Mean operative time was similar (66.38 ± 4.60 vs. 66.56 ± 4.06 minutes; p = 0.8933). Postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting were mild and comparable. Complications were rare, limited to urinary retention and one vascular injury in Group B. No infection, seroma, scrotal edema, or recurrence occurred. Day-care patients resumed work earlier and reported higher satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

Day-care laparoscopic TEP repair is safe, effective, and well accepted, offering faster recovery, improved satisfaction, and better resource utilization, compared with short-stay surgery.