title: Chronic pain after mesh repair of inguinal hernia: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic pain is a severe complication of mesh-based inguinal hernia repair. Its perceived risk varies widely in the literature. The current objectives are to review the incidence, severity, and consequences of chronic pain and its etiologies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multi-database systematic search was conducted for prospective trials on mesh-based inguinal hernia repair reporting the measurement and outcome of pain at least 3 months postoperatively with a minimum follow-up of 80%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After mesh-based inguinal hernia repair, 11% of patients suffer chronic pain. More than a quarter of these patients have moderate to severe pain, mostly with a neuropathic origin. As a consequence of chronic pain, almost one third of patients have limitations in daily leisure activities. Chronic pain is less frequent after endoscopic repair and with the use of a light-weighted mesh.
authors: Department of Surgery, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Weg door Jonkerbos 100, 6532 SZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. s.nienhuijs@hccnet.nl
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Nienhuijs
authors: Erik
authors: E
authors: Staal
authors: Luc
authors: L
authors: Strobbe
authors: Camiel
authors: C
authors: Rosman
authors: Hans
authors: H
authors: Groenewoud
authors: Rob
authors: R
authors: Bleichrodt
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013526:Surgical Mesh / Q000009:adverse effects*