Chronic pain and discomfort after inguinal hernia repair.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence and degree of persistent chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair performed in our hospitals.

METHODS

We mailed a questionnaire on the frequency and intensity of postoperative inguinal pain and discomfort to 219 adult patients who had undergone inguinal hernia repair in one of our hospitals more than 3 months previously.

RESULTS

There were 191 (87.2%) respondents, 28 (14.7%) of whom reported pain and 33 (17.3%) reported discomfort. The frequency of pain was "rare" in more than half of the patients who reported pain. No patient reported "continuous" pain. The intensity of the pain was "mild" in most of the patients, and none reported "pain that required a painkiller". The answers on the face scale questionnaire (score "0" to "10") were "0" or "1" for most of the patients. The incidence of chronic pain and/or discomfort was significantly higher in women than in men, and tended to be higher in patients who had undergone repair using onlay mesh.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency and intensity of persistent chronic pain or discomfort after inguinal hernia repair was not high or severe. These data will be useful for further studies to determine the best treatment for adult inguinal hernia.