Incidence of chronic groin pain after Lichtenstein hernia repair at the  National Hospital Sri Lanka

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Background Chronic inguinal pain is the most common complication following inguinal hernia repair and it affects patient quality of life. This study aimed to find its incidence and how severely it affects day-to-day life in the Sri Lankan population. Methods 100 patients were recruited to the study on admission for inguinal hernia repair to the National Hospital Sri Lanka and follow-up regarding pain was done at 6 months over the phone. We surveyed the incidence of pain, the severity of pain during day-to-day activities and how activities are limited due to chronic groin pain. Results Out of 100 initial participants, 75 patients completed 6-month follow-up. From 75 patients, 31 (41.3%) patients had chronic groin pain. No patients had severe pain at rest and only one (1.3%) had severe pain either during home chores or workplace activities. Mild pain at rest was seen in 4 (5.3%) and mild pain, either during home activities or workplace activities, in 21 (28%) of participants. Moderate groin pain at rest, at home activities and at workplace activities was seen in two (2.7%). two (2.7%) and one (1.3%), respectively. Of 75 participants at 6 months, only one (1.3%) had restricted home activities, seldomly. But three (4%) had seldom restrictions on leisure/religious activities and one (1.3%) had occasional restrictions. One (1.3%) had always restrictions on workplace activities and four (5.3%) had seldom restrictions. Conclusions The incidence of chronic inguinal pain after inguinal hernia repair in our study is similar to that found in the literature. However, there is a marked reduction in the effect of pain on day-to-day activities in our study. Which may be due to less severity of pain, good pain tolerance or poor health-seeking behaviour. This needs further evaluation to find out the exact cause for less reporting of the severity of pain and to improve health-seeking behaviour.