A study of incidence of inguinodynia in inguinal hernias repair at a tertiary center

Abstract

Background: Chronic groin pain (inguinodynia) following inguinal hernia repair is a significant, though under-reported problem. Mild pain lasting for a few days is common following mesh inguinal hernia repair. However, moderate to severe pain persisting more than 3 months after inguinal herniorrhaphy should be considered as pathological. The main aim of this study was to assess the incidence of inguinodynia in inguinal hernia repair patients at a tertiary centre.Methods: This non-randomized retrospective study was undertaken in the department of general surgery, SMIMER Hospital, Surat, Gujarat, India from August 2016 to July 2019. Total 940 patients were operated for inguinal hernia repair during this period. Out of these 940 patients, only 460 patients could be traced for clinical evaluation as Surat is an industrial city with very high percentage of migrant population and so only, they were included in the study.Results: In this study, total 460 patients were included, in which 310 patients were operated for open inguinal hernia repair and 150 patients were operated for laparoscopic hernia repair. Total 102 (22.17%) patients has developed inguinodynia out of 460 patients evaluated in this series. Incidence of inguinodynia is more in open inguinal hernia repair than laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair i.e., 24.83% versus 16.67%. Incidence of testicular complication in inguinodynia patients is more in open inguinal hernia repair and non in laparoscopic repair.Conclusions: Authors conclude that overall incidence of inguinodynia is 22.17% and incidence of inguinodynia is higher in open hernia repair in comparison to laparoscopic hernia repair (24.83% versus 16.67%). The incidence of mild inguinodynia is approximately eight times more common than severe inguinodynia.