Robot-assisted laparoscopic triple neurectomy for chronic inguinal pain: Description of the technique, our experience and preliminary results

Abstract

IntroductionChronic inguinal pain or inguinodynia following hernioplasty is a relatively common complication that can be very incapacitating. Surgical treatment by triple neurectomy is a therapeutic option when previous treatments (oral/local therapy or neuromodulation) have failed. ObjectiveRetrospective description of the surgical technique and results of laparoscopic and robot-assisted triple neurectomy for chronic inguinodynia. Material and methodsWe describe the inclusion/exclusion criteria as well as the surgical technique applied in 7 patients operated on at the University Health Care Complex of León (Urology Department) after failure of other treatment options. ResultsThe patients presented chronic groin pain, reporting a preoperative pain VAS of 7.43 out of 10. After surgery, this score was reduced to 3.71 on the first postoperative day and to 4.2 points one year after surgery. Hospital discharge occurred 24 h after surgery with no relevant complications being reported. ConclusionsLaparoscopic or robot-assisted triple neurectomy is a safe, reproducible, and effective technique for the treatment of chronic groin pain refractory to other treatments.