Results of Performing Mesh Plug Repair for Groin Hernias

The simplicity and good postoperative results of mesh plug repair for groin hernias have been reported in numerous articles. We have been performing this procedure in our department for more than 5 years, and the present study was conducted to reexamine its clinical outcome from our viewpoint. A total of 224 patients with a collective 244 groin hernias underwent mesh plug repair between March 1993 and August 1998. There were 155 (63.5%) indirect hernias, 79 (32.4%) direct hernias, 2 (0.8%) femoral hernias, and 8 (3.3%) compound hernias; 27 (11.1%) were recurrent hernias. Two plugs were inserted in all the compound hernias and in two of the direct hernias with a diffuse weak inguinal floor. The mean operating time was 32.2 min. The complications that developed during this study were continuous pain in four patients, seroma in two, and hematoma in one. The rates of recurrence were 0% for indirect hernias and 12.7% for direct hernias. The patients in whom recurrence developed underwent mesh plug repair again and have had no further recurrence. Our experience showed mesh plug repair to be an excellent technique for indirect hernias or recurrent hernias after mesh repair, but it might be unsuitable for direct hernias with a diffuse bulging weakness in the floor of the inguinal canal. Received: November 25, 1999 / Accepted: September 26, 2000     

Groin Hernia Repair: Postherniorrhaphy Pain

Persistent pain after hernia repair is common, although it is usually mild. In 3% of patients it is severe, however, and has significant effects on work and social activities. The purpose of this review was to examine factors that affect pain after hernia repair. Although the type of anaesthetic used, local or general, and the operation type, open or laparoscopic, seems to affect acute pain, chronic persistent pain is influenced by the age of the patient and whether the hernia was painful preoperatively. Preliminary evidence indicating that use of a lightweight mesh may reduce chronic pain requires further research before definitive conclusions can be drawn.     

Moloney Darn Repair Versus Lichtenstein Mesh Hernioplasty for Open Inguinal Hernia Repair

Purpose To compare two tension-free techniques of inguinal hernia repair: the Moloney darn repair (MDR) and Lichtenstein mesh hernioplasty (LMH). Methods The subjects of this study were 651 patients from a total 732 who underwent open inguinal herniorrhaphy at our clinic between January 2000 and January 2006. We evaluated and compared analgesic requirement in the first 24 h, operative time, hospital stay, early postoperative complications, time until return to work, and recurrence, between patients who underwent MDR (group A) and patients who underwent LMH (group B). Results Group B patients required less analgesia in the first 24 h than group A patients. Conversely, the mean operative time and postoperative hospital stay were shorter in group A. Early postoperative complication rates and the time until return to work did not differ significantly between the two groups. During follow-up, recurrences developed in three patients from group A and four from group B. The cost of MDR was significantly less than that of LMH. Conclusions Both MDR and LMH resulted in rapid recovery and low recurrence rates; however, the advantage of the MDR lies in the fact that it does not require mesh, so it is much less expensive.     

腹股沟疝术后顽固性疼痛的处理

目的：探讨疝修补术后顽固性疼痛的原因和手术治疗方式。方法：分析1998－2001年我院收治的8例腹股沟疝修补术后疼痛病人的临床资料，结合文献进行讨论。结果：1例病人经神经阻滞治疗后缓解；2例行单纯神经松解，2例行痛点局部疤痕切除，1例行翻转无张力补片部分修剪，2例行髂前上棘内侧髂腹股沟，髂腹下神经部分切除，术后疼痛均缓解。结论：疝修补术后出现顽固性疼痛的常见原因为神经被缝扎或补片移位压迫或被纤维粘连牵扯等；手术方式应个体化，结合术前疼痛特点及术中探查情况，合理选择神经松解，疤痕切除，翻转补片部分修剪及神经切除等方式，可避免盲目切除神经带来的严重后果和疝的复发。     

Pain after Open Preperitoneal Repair versus Lichtenstein Repair: A Randomized Trial

Background The open preperitoneal approach in inguinal hernia repair might have the benefit of a mesh in the preferred space without the disadvantages of an endoscopic procedure. Methods A total of 172 patients with primary inguinal hernia were randomized to undergo the open preperitoneal Kugel or the standard open anterior Lichtenstein procedure in a teaching hospital. The main outcome measures were operating variables, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, and consumed analgesics during the first 2 weeks postoperatively and at 3 months, neurological examination, and complications. Results In the Lichtenstein group the operation took longer (54 min versus 41 min; p < .001). There were no clinically important differences in VAS pain score or number of analgesics during the first 2 weeks postoperatively. In the Kugel group the mean VAS pain score at 3 months was less (0.3 versus 0.9; p = .002), as was the proportion of patients reporting pain (21 versus 40%; p = .007). Pain was merely described as neuropathic, especially in the Lichtenstein group. With the anterior repair significantly more nerves were encountered, numbness reported, and cutaneous sensory changes found with neurological examination (all p < .001). Conclusions For those surgeons preferring an open approach, the Kugel procedure is a feasible alternative for the standard Lichtenstein procedure and is associated with less chronic pain at three months. Most likely the neuropathic pain and numbness with the Lichtenstein technique are results of more nerves at risk with the anterior approach.     

无张力疝修补术后慢性疼痛的原因分析及防治

目的 探讨无张力疝修补术后慢性疼痛的原因及防治方法.方法 对142例实施无张力疝修补术患者的临床资料进行回顾性地分析.结果 均行无张力疝修补术,按补片类型分为2组:聚丙烯类组(n=70)和聚四氟乙烯组(n=72).术后疼痛发生率:聚丙烯类组为10.0%(7/70),聚四氟乙烯组为4.2%(3/72),2者差异有统计学意...     

Neurectomy to Prevent Persistent Pain after Inguinal Herniorraphy: A Prospective Study Using Objective Criteria to Assess Pain

Background Although tension-free mesh repair has markedly improved the outcome of inguinal hernia surgery, it has only minimally reduced the incidence of persistent postoperative pain. The pathogenesis of this complication and treatment remain unclear. Study design In order to objectively assess whether iliohypogastric neurectomy reduces the incidence and intensity of persistent postoperative pain, we prospectively studied 100 male patients with bilateral inguinal hernia who underwent tension-free surgical repair, combined with iliohypogastric neurectomy on the right side alone. Pain was evaluated postoperatively on days 1 and 7 and at 1 and 2 years by means of a visual analog scale. Patients were given a questionnaire including coded terms for describing pain. These terms were designed to compare pain on the neurectomized and non-neurectomized sides and assess altered sensation (hypoesthesia and paresthesia) on both sides. Results There were differences in the incidence and intensity of pain between the neurectomized and non-neurectomized sides, though these differences were not significant. Individual patient assessment showed that from postoperative day 7 onward patients had on average less pain on the neurectomized side. Pain reduction was more prominent in patients who scored 4 or more on the visual analog scale. No significant difference was found in the incidence of sensory alterations between the two sides. Two years after inguinal hernia repair, only one of the 100 patients studied still had persistent pain (>4 on the visual analog scale); this pain was on the non-neurectomized side. Conclusions Our prospective data do not reach statistical significance to claim that iliohypogastric neurectomy reduces the incidence and intensity of persistent postoperative pain after tension-free inguinal hernioplasty. Studies on larger patient samples are warranted to provide definitive, statistically supported conclusions.     

Coronary Bypass for Relief of Persistent Pain Following Acute Myocardial Infarction

Between January, 1976, and April, 1980, 116 patients had urgent myocardial revascularization for clinical instability within 30 days of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Group 1 (8 patients) had coronary bypass grafting within 24 hours of acute MI; Group 2 (20 patients) had coronary bypass grafting 2 to 7 days after acute MI; and Group 3 (88 patients) had coronary bypass grafting 8 to 30 days after infarction. Indications for operation were persistent or recurrent pain (81%), pain plus ventricular arrhythmias (12%), and pain plus compelling anatomy.The incidence of single-vessel, triple-vessel, and left main coronary artery disease was 28%, 31%, and 12%, respectively. There were no hospital deaths in the series. The incidence of inotropic requirements, postoperative intraaortic balloon pumping, ventricular arrhythmias, and perioperative infarction was higher in patients operated on within 7 days of acute MI than for patients having coronary bypass grafting after this time. There have been 5 late deaths during a mean follow-up of 14 months. Actuarial survival was 97% at 18 months. Seventy-one percent of patients are presently pain free. Graft patency was 84% in 17 patients recatheterized after coronary bypass grafting and in 14 patients, grafts placed into the area of infarction were patent.This study suggests that the frequency of perioperative complications will be increased in patients operated on within one week of acute MI, but after this period, coronary bypass grafting can be accomplished with the same morbidity as that of elective operation.     

平片式修补与疝环充填式修补在腹股沟疝无张力疝修补术中的选择探讨

目的探讨平片式修补与疝环充填式修补两种术式在无张力疝修补术中的适用范围。方法493例次腹股沟疝患者依据不同的疝类型,分别选择疝环充填式修补术(巴德网塞补片)及平片修补术(戈尔软组织补片、贝朗平片及巴德平片)。对手术方法、手术指征、术后疼痛、并发症及复发率等进行观察。结果男性初发性腹股沟疝(疝环2.5 cm)、女性腹股沟疝、复发性疝、嵌顿性腹股沟疝选用平片修补术,仅1例术后6个月出现迟发性感染。男性初发性腹股沟疝(疝环2.5 cm)、尤其是直疝选用疝环充填式修补术,未见术后并发症及复发病例。结论采用疝环充填式修补与平片修补的无张力疝修补术具有安全、创伤小、恢复快的优点,但应依据疝的类型选择术式及补片材料。     

Classifying Postherniorrhaphy Pain Syndromes Following Elective Inguinal Hernia Repair

BACKGROUND: Chronic post-herniorrhaphy pain is diverse in origin. The aim of our study was to classify post-herniorrhaphy pain syndromes following elective inguinal hernia repair. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients with an elective inguinal hernia repair performed between January 2000 and August 2005 received a questionnaire evaluating chronic inguinal pain (visual analog scale, VAS 0-10). Patients with moderate to severe pain complaints (VAS score >or= 3) were invited for an interview and an outpatient department physical examination. RESULTS: A total of 2,164 cases underwent an elective hernia repair and received the questionnaire; 1,766 individuals responded (response rate: 81.6%). Moderate to severe pain was present in 211 patients (11.9%). Follow-up was performed in 148 patients. Three separate groups of diagnoses were identified. Group I: neuropathic pain (n = 72) indicating inguinal nerve damage; group II: non-neuropathic pain (n = 40) due to an array of diagnoses including periostitis (n = 18) and recurrent hernia (n = 13); and group III: a tender spermatic cord and/or a tight feeling in the lower abdomen (n = 43). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic pain following elective hernia repair is common and diverse in etiology but may allow for a classification contributing to the development of tailored treatment regimens.     

免气囊分离器完全腹膜外补片腹腔镜腹股沟疝修补术

目的探讨免气囊分离器完全腹膜外腹腔镜腹股沟疝修补术的优点、难点、术中常见的失误及解决办法. 方法 2003年11月～2004年7月,完成11例免气囊分离器完全腹膜外补片腹腔镜腹股沟疝修补术.腹股沟斜疝8例,7例为右侧,1例为左侧;直疝3例,左侧2例(其中1例为复发性直疝),右侧1例. 结果平均手术时间74.1 min,平均出血量13.6 ml,平均术后住院天数为2.2 d.术后平均5.3 d恢复日常活动.术中发生腹壁下动脉游离、误入解剖层次和腹膜撕裂各1例.随访1～7月,未见1例复发及神经性疼痛等并发症. 结论免气囊分离器完全腹膜外腹腔镜腹股沟疝修补术与常规气囊分离器完全腹膜外腹腔镜腹股沟疝修补术一样安全、可行,了解该术式的要点,有助于顺利完成手术.