To investigate the effect of the ultrasonic scalpel on reducing postoperative seroma in laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair (TAPP).

A retrospective analysis of 85 patients with inguinal hernia who underwent TAPP at the Affiliated Nanhai Hospital of Southern Medical University from January to July 2017 was conducted. Patients were divided into the ultrasonic scalpel group (n=35) and the coagulation hook group (n=50) according to the different surgical instruments. According to the classification proposed by Morales, the incidence of postoperative seroma was compared between the two groups.

No recurrence was found in 85 patients after surgery through outpatient follow-up and telephone follow-up for 1 year. Among the patients in the ultrasonic scalpel group, there were 2 patients with seroma after surgery, with an incidence of 5.71%. There were 9 cases of seroma in the coagulation hook group (18%), and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no severe seroma of type Ⅲ or above in the ultrasonic knife group. Type Ⅲ seroma occurred in 1 case (2%) in the coagulation hook group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05).

In TAPP, the application of an ultrasonic scalpel can effectively reduce the overall incidence of postoperative seroma. But, as to type III and more serious seroma, there is no significant difference .