Risk factors for reoperation due to chronic groin postherniorrhaphy pain

Female Groin Hernia Repairs in the Swedish Hernia Register 1992-2022: A Review With Updates

Introduction: Groin hernias in women is much less common than in men; it constitutes only 9% of all groin hernia operations. Historically, studies have been performed on men and the results applied to both genders. However, prospectively registered operations within national registers have contributed to new knowledge regarding groin hernias in women. The aim of this paper was to investigate and present a body of literature based upon the Swedish Hernia Register together with recent data from the register's annual report. Patients and Methods: PubMed and Embase were searched for studies based on the Swedish Hernia Register between 1992 and 2023. Based on the initial reading of abstracts, studies that presented results separately for women were selected and read. Recent data were acquired from the 2022 annual report of the Swedish Hernia Register. Results: A total of 73 studies of interest were identified. Of these, 52 included women, but only 19 presented separate results for women. Four themes emerged and were analysed further: emergency surgery and mortality, femoral hernias, the risk of reoperation for recurrence, and chronic pain following female groin hernia repairs. Discussion: Studies from the Swedish Hernia Register clearly describe that both the presentation of hernias and outcomes after repair differ significantly between the two genders. The differences that have been identified over the years have been incorporated into the national guidelines. Register data indicates that the guidelines have been implemented and are fairly well adhered to. As a result, significant improvements in outcomes regarding recurrences have been made for women with groin hernias in Sweden.

Minimizing complications following transinguinal preperitoneal modified Kugel mesh herniorrhaphy: a double blind prospective randomized clinical trial

Transinguinal preperitoneal (TIPP) single-layer mesh herniorrhaphy has been proven effective. Mesh manufacturers make either a single-unit, two-layer mesh design or a separate optional onlay with the pre-peritoneal mesh. For peace of mind, most surgeons still incorporate the optional onlay. This study evaluated any counterproductive effects of adding the onlay to single-layer TIPP mesh herniorrhaphy and compared the long-term efficacy. This prospective, single-surgeon, single-center, randomized trial compared two groups of 50 consecutive patients at a 1 to 1 ratio. The control group received a single-layer modified Kugel mesh in the preperitoneal space, while the study group received the optional onlay mesh in the inguinal canal with preperitoneal mesh placement. A single surgeon performed the same operation to place the preperitoneal mesh in both groups, the only difference being the placement of the optional onlay mesh in the study group. A blinded researcher performed post-operative interviews using a series of questions at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, and another unblinded researcher organized and performed statistical analysis of the peri-operative and post-operative data. The primary endpoints included foreign body sensation, pain, and any other discomfort in the inguinal region following surgery; and the secondary endpoints included recurrence and any complications related to surgery. The patient demographics were similar between the two groups. The average follow-up period was 29 months. Two patients in the 1-layer group and one patient in the 2-layer group were lost to follow-up. Postoperative pain, numbness and soreness were similar between groups. No patients experienced a foreign body sensation after 3 months in the 1-layer group, while five patients still had a foreign body sensation at 12 months in the 2-layer group. No recurrence was noted in either group during the follow-up period. Adequate dissection of the preperitoneal space is the key to a successful single-layer TIPP herniorrhaphy. With decreased materials in the inguinal canal, single-layer TIPP has a lower rate of long-term postoperative discomfort without increasing the risk of future recurrence.

Trial registration: ISRCTN 47111213

Prophylaxis and treatment of acute and chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP)—association of pain with compression neuropathy†

Can open inguinal hernia repair (OIHR) and tailored neurectomy (TN) be effective for prophylaxis of chronic postoperative inguinal hernia repair (CPIP) (I) and treatment of CPIP (II)? Patients with symptomatic primary inguinal hernia (I group 1) and secondary hernia with CPIP (II, groups 2–5) were investigated for postoperative complications and nerve damage. About, 98% of patients with OIHR with TN reported preoperative pain (I group 1, n = 388, recurrence rate 1%). There were 73 cases (II) of CPIP after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR) (group 2, n = 22), OIHR (group 3, n = 37), LIHR followed by OIHR/LIHR (group 4, n = 5) and OIHR followed by LIHR/OIHR (group 5, n = 9). The results were as follows: preoperative pain: 33–100%, recurrence rate 0–11% (II, groups 2–5), nerve damage 92–100% and persistent CPIP: n = 1 after trocar perforation of inguinal nerve elsewhere. OIHR is effective to avoid CPIP with compression neuropathy. This is the largest series of histological nerve damage in CPIP.

Factors predicting chronic pain after open inguinal hernia repair: a regression analysis of randomized trial comparing three different meshes with three fixation methods (FinnMesh Study)

BACKGROUND

Chronic pain after inguinal hernioplasty is the foremost side-effect up to 10-30% of patients. Mesh fixation may influence on the incidence of chronic pain after open anterior mesh repairs.

METHODS

Some 625 patients who underwent open anterior mesh repairs were randomized to receive one of the three meshes and fixations: cyanoacrylate glue with low-weight polypropylene mesh (n = 216), non-absorbable sutures with partially absorbable mesh (n = 207) or self-gripping polyesther mesh (n = 202). Factors related to chronic pain (visual analogue scores; VAS ≥ 30, range 0-100) at 1 year postoperatively were analyzed using logistic regression method. A second analysis using telephone interview and patient records was performed 2 years after the index surgery.

RESULTS

At index operation, all patient characteristics were similar in the three study groups. After 1 year, chronic inguinal pain was found in 52 patients and after 2 years in only 16 patients with no difference between the study groups. During 2 years' follow-up, three (0.48%) patients with recurrences and five (0.8%) patients with chronic pain were re-operated. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that only new recurrent hernias and high pain scores at day 7 were predictive factors for longstanding groin pain (p = 0.001). Type of mesh or fixation, gender, pre-operative VAS, age, body mass index or duration of operation did not predict chronic pain.

CONCLUSION

Only the presence of recurrent hernia and early severe pain after index operation seemed to predict longstanding inguinal pain.

Groin hernia repair in women - A nationwide register study

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to investigate reoperation for recurrence in men and women with respect to method of repair, hernia anatomy and year of operation.

METHOD

Since 1992, groin hernia repairs performed in Sweden are prospectively registered in the Swedish Hernia Register, (SHR). Reoperations are noted, regardless of where the reoperation is performed. Risk of reoperation for recurrence is calculated for men and women with respect of method of repair, hernia anatomy and year of operation.

RESULTS

Out of 221 108 eligible operations registered between 1992-2013, 17 545 (8%) were performed on women. The risk of being operated for recurrence after laparoscopic surgery was lowered in women, RR 0,4(95%CI 0.3-0.7) and increased in men, RR 2.3(95% CI 2.0-2.7), compared to the Lichtenstein technique.

DISCUSSION

The reoperation for recurrence rate differed significantly between men and women. As regards the technique used for primary repair, laparoscopic groin hernia repair lowered the risk of reoperation for recurrence in women whereas it doubled the risk in men.

Risk factors of chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair: a systematic review

Introduction

Chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP) is the most common complication after inguinal hernia operation. Eighteen percent (range, 0.7%-75%) of patients suffered from CPIP after open inguinal hernia repair and 6% (range, 1%-16%) reported CPIP after laparoendoscopic groin hernia repair. The incidence of clinically significant CPIP with impact on daily activities ranged between 10% and 12%. Debilitating CPIP with severe impact on normal daily activities or work was reported in 0.5%-6% of the cases.

Materials and methods

PubMed, Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Database were searched for studies on risk factors for chronic pain after open and endoscopic hernia repair. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluations (GRADE) methodology.

Results

Risk factors for CPIP with strong evidence include female gender, young age, high intensity of preoperative pain, high early postoperative pain intensity, history of chronic pain other than CPIP, operation for a recurrent hernia, and open repair technique. Risk factors for CPIP with moderate evidence include postoperative complications, neurolysis, and preservation of the ilioinguinal nerve in Lichtenstein repair. Risk factors for CPIP with low evidence include genetic predisposition (DQB1*03:02 HLA haplotype), lower preoperative optimism, high pain intensity to tonic heat stimulation, inadequate suture/staple/clip mesh fixation, ignorance of the inguinal nerves, less experienced surgeon, sensory dysfunction in the groin, and worker's compensation.

Conclusion

Detailed knowledge of the risk factors, meticulous operative technique with profound knowledge of the anatomy, proper nerve identification and handling, optimization of prosthetic materials, and careful fixation are of utmost importance for the prevention of CPIP.

Data and outcome of inguinal hernia repair in hernia registers - a review of the literature

Register-based observational studies in inguinal hernia repair deliver real-world data from very large patient populations and give answers to important clinical questions never evaluated in randomized controlled trials. Data from hernia registers can provide evidence of effectiveness of therapies in the general population. Hernia registers with high case load have existed in Sweden since 1992, in Denmark since 1998, and in Germany/Austria/Switzerland since 2009. In this review, the most important findings of register-based observational studies in inguinal hernia repair are presented. After an intensive literature search, 85 articles are relevant for this review. Numerous findings from these register-based studies have been incorporated into the various guidelines on inguinal hernia repair. These highlight the particular importance of hernia registers in answering key scientific and clinical questions in hernia surgery. The myriad of surgical techniques described – spanning more than 100 and with ongoing new additions – as well as the large number of associated medical devices call for, more than in other surgical disciplines, meticulous documentation of the methods used for the treatment of inguinal hernias.