Reoperation for groin pain after inguinal herniorrhaphy: does it really work?

Area of Science:

• Surgical outcomes
• Pain management
• Hernia repair complications

Background:

• Chronic groin pain is a frequent complication following inguinal hernia repair (IHR).
• Reoperation for groin pain (R4GP) following IHR presents variable outcomes and patient experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of reoperation for groin pain (R4GP) in patients previously treated for inguinal hernia repair (IHR).
• To assess long-term pain relief and patient satisfaction after R4GP.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of adult patients undergoing R4GP between 1995 and 2014.
• Telephone survey conducted with patients to assess post-reoperation pain, duration, and satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Forty-four patients underwent R4GP, with 23% requiring more than one reoperation.
• Hernia recurrence was noted in 52% of patients at the time of R4GP; 45% had nerve resection and 30% mesh removal.
• Of 28 surveyed patients, 93% reported post-R4GP pain for a median of 12.5 months, with 14% experiencing debilitating pain at study completion.
• Despite persistent pain, 86% of respondents would opt for reoperation again.

Conclusions:

• Reoperation for groin pain (R4GP) may not provide immediate pain relief for patients with chronic groin pain after inguinal hernia repair (IHR).
• The majority of patients experience some degree of long-term benefit and satisfaction following R4GP, despite potential complications and prolonged pain.