Reoperation for groin pain after inguinal herniorrhaphy: Does it really work?

Background Chronic groin pain after inguinal hernia repair (IHR) is a vexing problem. Reoperation for groin pain (R4GP) has varied outcomes. Methods A retrospective review and telephone survey of adults who presented with groin pain after IHR from 1995 to 2014. Results Forty-four patients underwent R4GP; 23% had greater than 1 R4GP. Twenty-three (52%) had hernia recurrence at the time of R4GP. Twenty (45%) underwent nerve resection, and 13 (30%) had mesh removed. Twenty-eight patients completed a telephone survey. Of these, 26 (93%) respondents indicated they experienced pain after their last R4GP for a median duration of 12.5 months. At study completion, 5 patients continued to have debilitating chronic groin pain, 5 had moderate pain, 6 had minimal discomfort, and 12 were pain-free. Twenty-four respondents (86%) would proceed with reoperation(s) again if they could go back in time. Conclusions Although most patients do not experience immediate relief with R4GP, the majority receive some benefit in long-term follow-up.