Effects of Transabdominal Preperitoneal (TAPP) repair combined with biological mesh on reproductive function in male inguinal hernia patients of reproductive age: A single-center retrospective study

Objective: To investigate the impact of Transabdominal Preperitoneal (TAPP) repair combined with biological mesh on the reproductive function of male inguinal hernia patients during their reproductive period, we conducted a retrospective analysis. Methods Sixty male inguinal hernia patients admitted to our department from October 2015 to October 2021 were included in the study. All patients underwent TAPP combined with biological mesh performed by the same surgical team. Prior to surgery, as well as at 3, 6, and 12 months post-surgery, bilateral testicular volume, testicular temperature, testicular blood perfusion, peripheral serum testosterone concentration, and semen analysis were assessed. Results The preoperative testicular volume, temperature, and blood perfusion were compared between the healthy side and the affected side. Additionally, the testicular volume, temperature, blood perfusion of the affected side, peripheral blood testosterone concentration, and semen analysis were compared at four different time points: before operation, 3 months after operation, 6 months after operation, and 12 months after operation. It is worth noting that all P values were found to be greater than 0.05. Conclusions Transabdominal Preperitoneal repair combined with biological mesh has no significant effect on the reproductive function of reproductive male patients with inguinal hernia.