Chronic pain after laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery

Up to 6–7 % of patients experience chronic pain after laparoscopic (keyhole, TAPP) surgery for inguinal hernia. Chronic pain is defined as persistent pain for more than 6 months after surgery.

A study from the Danish Hernia Registry, published in Surgery Today, aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic pain after such procedures during the first 5 years. Nearly 1400 hernia patients were included, with a follow-up rate of almost 100 %. Patients were followed up with a questionnaire specifically designed for groin pain (Inguinal Pain Questionnaire). A minimum of 1 year of follow-up was required.

The main findings showed that chronic pain decreases during the first 5 years after surgery, with a particularly marked improvement at 3.5 years after surgery (10.2 vs 5.4 %, p<0.003). No specific factors distinguished those who improved from those who did not, after 3.5 years.