title: [Long-term results after tension-free inguinal hernia repair].
abstract: A total of 186 consecutive patients underwent open tension-free inguinal hernia repair, either on one or both sides. Overall, 220 hernias were repaired under local anesthesia conditions after intraoperatively classifying the size of the hernia. The follow-up investigation took place as planned in 165 hernias. The mean follow-up time was 15.5 months, with a range from 6.6 to 30. 8 months, and the follow-up rate was 75.0 %. During this first follow-up it was especially interesting to read the patients, self-assessment concerning their physical restrictions during the first month after the operation. Furthermore, we were interested in learning about the objective and subjective operation-linked consequences in the patients, inguinal region. Most patients (89.7 %) were able to do sports and drive their car; 86.1 % were able to manage their usual physical activity 4 weeks after the operation. Focusing on the operation site, patients complained about chronic unpleasant effects, such as mild pain (21.2 %), local hypoesthesia (12.1 %), weather-dependent changes in sensitivity (7.2 %), moderate pain (3.6 %), inguinal syndrome (1.8 %) and hyperesthesia (1.2 %). Persistent swelling in the parainguinal region was found in 1.8 % of the patients and only one recurrence was found (0.6 %). In the analysis we found that mild chronic pain was not related to the time period after the operation and the age or sex of the patient, but there was a correlation with the size of the hernia. Patients with small hernias significantly more often experienced chronic pain than patients with bigger hernias. These results suggest that open tension-free inguinal hernia repair according to Lichtenstein appears to be overtreatment in patients with small inguinal hernias.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Unfallchirurgie, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Bergisch Gladbach, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus der Universität Bonn.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schmitz
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schmitz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Treckmann
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D013536:Suture Techniques