Chronic postherniorrhaphy pain--a call for uniform assessment.

The reported incidence of chronic postherniorrhaphy pain is estimated to be 10-15% and therefore has considerable socio-economic consequences. Interpretation of available data regarding pathogenesis, relation to surgical techniques, and postoperative pain treatment is hindered by differences in the description and definition of postherniorrhaphy pain. We propose a scheme for uniform assessment of chronic postherniorrhaphy pain in order to facilitate interpretation of future studies.