Groin symptoms 5–7 years after a ‘modified’ plug and patch inguinal hernioplasty

Chronic groin symptoms after inguinal hernia repair are recognised as a frustrating problem for patients and surgeons alike. The aim of our study was to determine the frequency and severity of groin symptoms 5–7 years after a ‘modified’ mesh-plug inguinal hernia repair.

Male patients undergoing a ‘modified’ mesh plug inguinal hernioplasty in 2002 and 2004 were investigated by means of a ‘patient friendly’ questionnaire evaluating the frequency and severity of groin ‘discomfort’ and ‘pain’.

Two hundred consecutive unselected men who had a hernia repair in 2002 (n = 89) and 2004 (n = 111) were sent a questionnaire of which 57% and 78%, respectively, replied. Significant groin discomfort, irrespective of frequency was described by three (6%) and four (5%) patients, respectively. Significant groin pain of varying severity and frequency was documented by five (6%) patients 5 years after operation and in two or 4% of patients 7 years after surgery. Overall, only four patients (3%) said their symptoms restricted their daily activity. Excluding 13 patients who had already had inguinal surgery on the other side, over 99% (105/106) of our respondents would undergo a similar future procedure on the opposite groin. This included all but one of those who had described discomfort or pain after their hernioplasty.

Significant restricting groin symptoms were uncommon. None of our patients would decline similar surgery on a contralateral hernia, suggesting a negligible impact of symptoms on their daily lives. A well dissected ‘modified’ mesh plug inguinal hernioplasty is associated with minimal chronic groin symptoms 5–7 years later.