Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair (TAPP) and open tension-free inguinal hernia repair (Lichtenstein technique) for inguinal hernia after liver and kidney transplantation.

Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on data of 17 patients with inguinal hernia after liver and kidney transplantation. According to the surgical methods, 14 patients with TAPP were assigned to experimental group 1, and 20 patients without a history of organ transplantation during the same period were assigned to control group 1. Additionally, 3 patients with the Lichtenstein technique were assigned to experimental group 2, and 10 patients without a history of organ transplantation during the same period were assigned to control group 2. Statistical analysis was performed to compare operation time, blood loss, and postoperative recovery, and to analyze the impacts of different organ transplantation on surgical method selection.

Results The operation time in experimental group 1 was (50.17±14.52) minutes, which was significantly longer than (33.77±10.19) minutes in the control group 1 (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of blood loss, postoperative ambulation time, and hospital discharge time (P>0.05). In experimental group 2, the operation time was (41.87±12.55) minutes and the blood loss was (10.78±7.56) mL, which was significantly longer than (27.14±10.64) minutes and higher than (5.40±1.56) mL in control group 2 (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in surgical blood loss and hospital discharge time between experimental group 1 and experimental group 2 (P < 0.05).

Conclusion TAPP can improve surgical outcomes and safety, and reduce occurrence of complications. For patients with inguinal hernia after kidney transplantation combined with ureteral transplantation, the Lichtenstein technique is safer.