LAUSR

Abstract Purpose: We previously identified that the existence of a patent processus vaginalis (PPV) is an important risk factor for a postoperative inguinal hernia (IH) in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP), and we introduced a novel plugging method to prevent IH development. The present study aimed to analyze the long-term outcomes of this plugging method. Patients and Methods: A total of 1026 groins were reviewed between May 2007 and March 2016. The plugging method was prospectively applied to patients with a PPV since May 2011. For patients with inguinal discomfort, ultrasonography was used to evaluate IH development. Results: An IH developed postoperatively in 35 (3.4%) groins at a median time of 22.0 months during a median follow-up of 41 months. Of the 291 groins with a PPV, plugging was performed in 167 (57.4%) groins. The presence of a PPV without the preventive procedure was a major risk factor for a postoperative IH. No prognostic difference in IH development wa...