Usefulness of a Long Forceps Technique in Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery for Totally Extraperitoneal Repair of Inguinal Hernia

Collisions between the laparoscope and the forceps remain a specific problem for single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS). We considered that the use of a long forceps would resolve this problem and use the long forceps in SILS for totally extraperitoneal repair (TEP). SILS for TEP (S-TEP) was performed to treat 34 inguinal hernias in 27 patients from November 2013 to February 2015. Among them, unilateral inguinal hernia repair was performed in 5 patients (median age: 71 years; range: 40–88 years) using a laparosonic coagulating shears (LCS) device and a straight long (43 cm) forceps. A 1-cm umbilical incision was made, a 5-mm flexible laparoscope was moved into the peritoneal cavity, and the type of inguinal hernia was diagnosed. Next, preperitoneal space was made using a finger or gauze. The single-port device was applied at preperitoneal space and insufflation was initiated with CO2 gas. The preperitoneal space was more easily created using a long straight forceps rather than standard ones. The hernia sac was then freed from the spermatic cord and a mesh was rolled, inserted, and deployed. Absorbable spiral tackers were used for fixation over the Cooper's ligament, lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels. The use of a long forceps was considered to be associated with reduction of the difficulty for dissection in S-TEP. We considered the use of a long forceps to be useful to the S-TEP operation.