NEURALGIA AFTER INGUINAL-HERNIA REPAIR

Severe chronic pain after groin hernia repair is uncommon but potentia lly debilitating. Fifteen patients with this condition were retrospect ively reviewed. All patients had severe pain, which prevented their wo rking or normal activity and was refractory to nonoperative treatment. Essentials of therapy included 1) a preoperative attempt to identify the involved nerve and 2) high ligation and division of the involved n erve identified at exploration. Twelve patients obtained excellent res ults and were able to return to normal activity with no requirement fo r analgesia. Understanding of the typical nerve anatomy, as well as th e individual variation in nerve anatomy, can help prevent this complic ation and is essential for correction if the complication does develop .