title: Chronic pain after hernia repair: a randomized trial comparing Shouldice, Lichtenstein and TAPP.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic pain after hernia repair is common, and it is unclear to what extent the different operation techniques influence its incidence. The aim of the present study was to compare the three major standardized techniques of hernia repair with regard to postoperative pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and eighty male patients with primary hernias were prospectively, randomly selected to undergo Shouldice, tension-free Lichtenstein or laparoscopic transabdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) hernioplasty repairs. Patients were examined after 52 months with emphasis on chronic pain and its limitations to their quality of life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chronic pain was present in 36% of patients after Shouldice repair, in 31% after Lichtenstein repair and in 15% after TAPP repair. Pain correlated with physical strain in 25% of patients after Shouldice, in 20% after Lichtenstein and in 11% after TAPP repair. Limitations to daily life, leisure activities and sports occurred in 14% of patients after Shouldice, 13% after Lichtenstein and 2.4% after TAPP repair.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic pain after hernia surgery is significantly more common with the open approach to the groin by Shouldice and Lichtenstein methods. The presence of the prosthetic mesh was not associated with significant postoperative complaints. The TAPP repair represents the most effective approach of the three techniques in the hands of an experienced surgeon.
authors.affiliation: Allgemeinchirurgische Abteilung, Krankenhaus Bietigheim, Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany. joerg_koeninger@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Köninger
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Redecke
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Butters
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D013177:Sports; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013997:Time Factors