Stina Öberg1, Kristoffer Andresen2, Jason J Baker2, Eva Angenete3, Jacob Rosenberg2. 1. Center for Perioperative Optimization, Department of Surgery, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: stina.oeberg@gmail.com. 2. Center for Perioperative Optimization, Department of Surgery, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. 3. Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Scandinavian Surgical Outcomes Research Group, Sahlgrenska University Hospital Östra, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim was to assess chronic pain after two Lichtenstein repairs for inguinal hernias (Lichtenstein-Lichtenstein) compared with Lichtenstein followed by a laparoscopic reoperation (Lichtenstein-Laparoscopy). METHODS: In this cohort study, adults having an inguinal hernia reoperation were identified in a nationwide database. Lichtenstein-Lichtenstein was matched 1:3 with Lichtenstein-Laparoscopy and sent validated pain questionnaires. The primary outcome was difference in proportion of patients with chronic pain-related functional impairment. Secondary outcomes were differences in chronic pain prevalence and severity. RESULTS: In total, 196 patients having Lichtenstein-Lichtenstein and 777 patients having Lichtenstein-Laparoscopy were included. There was no difference in the primary outcome, 26% with pain in Lichtenstein-Lichtenstein versus 19% in Lichtenstein-Laparoscopy (p = 0.051). However, a few of the secondary outcomes favored Lichtenstein-Laparoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of patients in both groups had pain several years after the second repair. None of the analyses favored Lichtenstein-Lichtenstein, but a few of the secondary outcomes favored Lichtenstein-Laparoscopy.
BACKGROUND: The aim was to assess chronic pain after two Lichtenstein repairs for inguinal hernias (Lichtenstein-Lichtenstein) compared with Lichtenstein followed by a laparoscopic reoperation (Lichtenstein-Laparoscopy). METHODS: In this cohort study, adults having an inguinal hernia reoperation were identified in a nationwide database. Lichtenstein-Lichtenstein was matched 1:3 with Lichtenstein-Laparoscopy and sent validated pain questionnaires. The primary outcome was difference in proportion of patients with chronic pain-related functional impairment. Secondary outcomes were differences in chronic pain prevalence and severity. RESULTS: In total, 196 patients having Lichtenstein-Lichtenstein and 777 patients having Lichtenstein-Laparoscopy were included. There was no difference in the primary outcome, 26% with pain in Lichtenstein-Lichtenstein versus 19% in Lichtenstein-Laparoscopy (p = 0.051). However, a few of the secondary outcomes favored Lichtenstein-Laparoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of patients in both groups had pain several years after the second repair. None of the analyses favored Lichtenstein-Lichtenstein, but a few of the secondary outcomes favored Lichtenstein-Laparoscopy.