Comparison of short-term outcomes between laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP) with biological mesh and laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair (IPOM Plus) with composite mesh for umbilical hernia​​.

OBJECTIVE

​To compare the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP) and laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM Plus) repair for umbilical hernia.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 55 patients with umbilical hernia treated at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from July 2023 to March 2025. The patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical approach: the TAPP group (experimental group, n=30) and the IPOM Plus group (control group, n=25). Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, hernia recurrence, surgical site/mesh infection, seroma, foreign body sensation, postoperative pain, bowel obstruction and perforation were compared. Follow-ups were performed at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding baseline characteristics, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, recurrence rate, surgical site/mesh infection rate, seroma formation, bowel obstruction and perforation. However, the TAPP group demonstrated a longer operative time (P<0.05), while showing significantly lower postoperative pain scores and reduced incidence of foreign body sensation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

TAPP can significantly improve the patient's postoperative recovery experience. Although it prolongs operative time, its safety and short-term efficacy are comparable to IPOM Plus, providing an alternative surgical option for umbilical hernia repair. Further large-scale studies with long-term follow-up are needed to validate these advantages and establish TAPP as a routine surgical option for umbilical hernia.