A comparative study on optical trocar entry vs. balloon trocar entry in laparoscopic eTEP inguinal hernia repair - a randomised control trial.

Background: The enhanced Totally Extra-Peritoneal (eTEP) technique is a novel minimally invasive approach to inguinal hernia repair that involves entry into the retro-rectus space and dissection of preperitoneal spaces. Aim of this study is to compare two methods for creating the preperitoneal space: optical trocar dissection (Group A) and balloon trocar dissection (Group B).

Materials And Methods: A prospective, single-blinded, interventional study was conducted with 116 patients, randomized into two groups (58 in each group) undergoing eTEP inguinal hernia repair at SRM Medical College Hospital, India.