Sportsman's hernia causes chronic groin pain in physically active adults. Open hernia repair without mesh or laparoscopic technique with mesh have been advocated in the treatment of sportsman's hernia. The aim of this randomized study is to compare the effectiveness of open technique to laparoscopic technique for the treatment of Sportsman´s hernia. The hypothesis is that laparoscopic technique is less painfull than open surgery for repair of sportsman's hernia.

Brief Title

TEP Versus Open Repair of Sportsman's Hernia

Official Title

Total ExtraPeritoneal (TEP) Versus Open Minimal Suture Repair for Treatment of Sportsman's Hernia/Athletic Pubalgia: A Randomized Multi-center Trial

Brief Summary

Sportsman's hernia causes chronic groin pain in physically active adults. Open hernia repair<br /> without mesh or laparoscopic technique with mesh have been advocated in the treatment of<br /> sportsman's hernia. The aim of this randomized study is to compare the effectiveness of open<br /> technique to laparoscopic technique for the treatment of Sportsman´s hernia. The hypothesis<br /> is that laparoscopic technique is less painfull than open surgery for repair of sportsman's<br /> hernia.

Detailed Description

Sportsman's hernia is defined as a weakness or disruption of the posterior wall of the
inguinal canal. Open hernia repair with or without mesh or laparoscopic techniques with mesh
have been advocated in the treatment of sportsman's hernia and associated athletic pubalgia.
The results of the operative treatment from single centers are reported to be good to
excellent in between 70 - 90% of patients with the most promising results reported using an
open minimal repair (OMR) technique. There are no randomized trials comparing open versus
laparoscopic techniques regarding time for recovery and relief of pain. The aim of this
randomized study is to compare the effectiveness of OMR technique in local or spinal
anesthesia to endoscopic Total ExtraPeritoneal (TEP) technique in general anesthesia for the
treatment of Sportsman´s hernia/athletic pubalgia. The primary endpoint is patient being free
from intractable groin pain during sports activity or daily work four weeks after surgery.

Outcome Measures

Outcome measures are the tests that investigators perform to prove whether or not a treatment being tested in a clinical trial is having any effect.