Prospective study to evaluate the value of Identification of nerves crossing inguinal canal during inguinal mesh hernioplasty

Abstract

Abstract Background Long-term morbidity associated with open inguinal hernia repair mainly consists of postoperative chronic pain. The mechanism responsible for the development of this postoperative pain is thought to be the entrapment, inflammation, and fibrotic reactions of the nerve around the mesh. Aim of the Work To analyse and provide comprehensive data on their incidence (identification rates), anatomical characteristics, and possible sources of heterogenecity, to decrease the risk of iatrogenic injury/ entrapment to these nerves during inguinal hernioplasty. Patients and Methods This study identified 40 patients who underwent inguinal hernia repairs with either routine repair or nerve identification and preservation. As several studies point out, a nerve-recognizing procedure is a logical step for minimizing postoperative groin pain. Such an approach can be advocated for two reasons: identification of the nerves for preservation or for performing standard neurectomy in case of interference with the position of the mesh. Results In the present study, there was no difference in pain scorings at one or 3-months after repair between different surgical techniques in patients undergoing open repair of a primary inguinal hernia. In present work, in addition to identifying and preserving all neural structures, specific maneuvers have been adopted for preventing postherniorrhaphy inguinodynia Conclusion The results indicated that routine nerve identification and preservation was associated with a significantly lower incidence of postoperative neuralgia compared with no nerve identification.