[Pain and rehabilitation after inguinal hernia repair in adult male patients].
BACKGROUND
Increased awareness of post-hernia repair pain motivated a study of pain and rehabilitation after day surgery.


METHODS
Forty male patients were prospectively randomized to conventional (McVay) or open mesh repair. Self-assessment of postoperative pain was based on a four-step verbal scale. Patients and the physicians conducting the study were blinded to the surgical method. Clinical follow-up was performed twice, after four weeks and median 21 months.


RESULTS
The open mesh technique generated less pain during the first postoperative week. Chronic light to moderate pain occurred in 20% of patients irrespective of surgical method. A sick leave of one to three weeks was sufficient in 20 out of 27 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The study showed no clinical advantage of a tension-free method in terms of rehabilitation and post-hernia repair after the first postoperative week. Because of the relatively high incidence of late treatment-related pain, non-symptomatic adult patients should not be referred for inguinal hernia surgery. The primary sick leave period should not exceed three weeks.
Johannessen
Hans-Olaf
HO
Gastrokirurgisk avdeling og Dagkirurgisk senter, Ullevål universitetssykehus, 0407 Oslo. hans-olaf.johannessen@ulleval.no
Johnson
Egil
E
Clausen
Thomas
T
Mjåland
Odd
O
D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D018582:Sick Leave; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013536:Suture Techniques
D000700:Analgesics