Laparoscopic injection of dermabond tissue adhesive for the repair of inguinal hernia: short- and long-term follow-up.

Purpose: Is laparoscopic injection of 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive (Dermabond: Db) into the inguinal hernia sac (IHS) effective for inguinal hernia repair?

Methods: Thirty male 4-week-old Lewis rats were used as subjects for this study. In the right Db (R-Db) group (n = 10), a fine catheter was passed through an 18-guage indwelling intravenous cannula inserted in the right lower quadrant, and 0.2 mL Db was injected into the right IHS under laparoscopic control. The left side was not treated. Both IHSs were treated in the bilateral Db (B-Db) group (n = 10). In the no Db (N-Db or control) group (n = 10), only laparoscope insertion was performed. Herniography was performed before death. B-Db and N-Db rats were mated 50 days after treatment. Half of all rats were killed 2 months after treatment and the remaining half 12 months after treatment.

Results: All rats survived until killing. Macroscopic findings postdeath confirmed herniography results; treated IHS were closed, and untreated IHS were patent. There were minor adhesions in 3 of 20 treated rats. Sperm were identified in the vaginas of all mated rats.

Conclusions: These results suggest that our new technique is simple, safe, and reliable as an alternative to standard operative repair for inguinal hernia.