European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Repairing a hernia in the groin is a routine surgical treatment, and for the vast majority of patients, the healing process after surgery is straightforward. Some patients, however, continue to complain of chronic groin pain or discomfort (CGP) (or months or even years after hernia treatment. This is a complication that is becoming recognized as a substantial source of morbidity following groin hernia surgery and is growing more common.
Aims and objective: To evaluate the chronic pain after laparoscopic and open mesh repair of groin hernia
Material and methods: This research included all of the patients who voluntarily chose to have a repair of their groin hernia performed with a prosthetic mesh. These patients were asked about any pain or discomfort they experienced as a result of the groin hernia repair, as well as whether or not it prevented them from participating in daily physical or sporting activities like walking, lifting a bag of groceries, playing golf, or more strenuous sports like jogging and football. The questionnaire was given out between 6-12 months after the procedure was performed. Laparoscopic TEP repair was conducted under general anaesthesia without securing the Prolene mesh in the preperitoneal area. The procedure was performed via the transperitoneal access port (TEP). The Lichtenstein procedure was used to accomplish open mesh repair under general anaesthesia, with the exception of patients who had substantial cardiorespiratory illness or those who wanted to undergo local anaesthesia.
Results: From the group of 200 patients, 160 (80%) provided a response, 20 (10%) passed away due to factors unrelated to hernia repair, and 10 (10%) did not provide any information at all. Out of the total of 160 patients, 80 (or 50%) had laparoscopic TEP, while the remaining 80 (or 50%) underwent open mesh repair. Three-fifths of the 160 patients, on average, complained of having persistent pain or discomfort in the groin area. Nine of these individuals (5.62%) claimed experiencing pain, whereas 47 (29.37%) just reported feeling uncomfortable. CGP was seen at a considerably higher frequency after open mesh repair in comparison to laparoscopic TEP repair. CGP prevented 38 patients, or 23.75 percent of the total, from participating in daily physical or sports activity.
Conclusion: After groin hernia surgery, patients reported having chronic pain or discomfort in 35% of cases. This occurrence was substantially more likely after open mesh repair than after laparoscopic TEP repair. In 23.75 percent of the patients, it had a negative impact on their ability to participate in active or sports activities, and this was exacerbated following open mesh repair.