Incidence of chronic post-surgical pain and its associated factors in patients taken to inguinal hernia repair

Abstract

Introduction: In up to 50% of cases, inguinal hernia repair is associated with chronic post-surgical pain, which can be a cause of disability in a proportion of patients. Objective: To estimate the incidence of chronic post-surgical pain and its associated factors in patients taken to inguinal hernia repair. Materials and methods: Observational follow-up study in a cohort of patients. Social, demographic and personal background information was obtained; the incidence and intensity of acute and chronic post-operative pain was determined; and the factors associated with the development of chronic pain were evaluated. Associations were determined in accordance with the nature of the variables. A linear regression was used to assess the role of confounding factors. Results Overall, 108 patients were analysed, and of them, 27.8% (n = 30) had chronic post-surgical pain. The multivariate analysis showed that the use of general anaesthesia and uncontrolled pain 15 days after surgery were associated with a higher risk of developing this condition. In contrast, diclofenac administration was protective. Discussion Chronic post-surgical pain is frequent in this type of surgery. According to this study, the use of peri-operative analgesia together with pain prevention and management within the first post-operative weeks help prevent the development of chronic post-surgical pain. General anaesthesia may increase the risk. Similar studies conducted at a larger scale could help identify other associated factors.