CHRONIC POSTOPERATIVE PAIN AFTER ANTERIOR INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR

Abstract

Abstract INTRODUCTION Chronic postoperative pain after inguinal hernia repair is one of the most prevalent sequel after inguinal hernioplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective descriptive study was done, studying 414 patients who underwent programmed anterior inguinal hernioplasty in our centre between 01/01/18 and 12/31/19. Laterality, the type of mesh used and fixation method are studied, as well as the appearance of early postoperative pain, at one month and after the third month. P < 0.05 is considered a statistically significant value. RESULTS Of 414 patients, 90.6% were male, with a mean age of 65.5 years. In 89.1% the surgery was unilateral and 8.7% was hernia recurrence. 46.1% presented pre-surgical pain. 10.4% presented pain in the first check-up and 1.9% chronic pain. In 81.4%, flat mesh was placed, fixing it with suture in 83.6%. Greater pain was observed in the first review in patients operated on for bilateral hernia (22%, p 0.006). No differences were found regarding age, sex or recurrent hernias. In bilateral hernias, recurrent hernias and hernioplasty with plug, more postoperative complications were observed with a p < 0.05. In those patients who present complications, postoperative pain was observed in the first review in 16% (p < 0,05). CONCLUSIONS Patients who underwent bilateral hernioplasty present more complications and greater postoperative pain in the first revision, but not after the third postoperative month. No differences were observed in chronic pain in primary vs recurrent hernias. Post-surgical complications are related to greater initial postoperative pain but not to chronic pain.