A National Center for Persistent Severe Pain After Groin Hernia Repair

This prospective, consecutive cohort study presents nationwide 5-year outcome data on patients with severe persistent pain after groin hernia repair (SPG). The inclusion criteria were SPG-related impairment of physical and social life. Two-hundred-four out of 222 patients (92%) were analyzed. Relevant surgical records were obtained, and examinations were by standardized clinical and neurophysiological tests. Patients demonstrating pain sensitivity to pressure algometry in the groin were evaluated regarding exploratory surgery, while patients with putative neuropathic pain received pharmacotherapy. Questionnaires at baseline (Q0) and five-year (Q5Y) were used in outcome-analyses of pain-intensity (numeric rating scale \[NRS\] 0-10) and the pain-related effect on the activity-of-daily-living (Activities Assessment Scale, AAS).