Stapler Versus Glue for Laparoscopic Groin Hernia Repair

Repair of inguinal hernia is the most common operation of the general surgeon. In recent years, it was recognized that chronic postoperative pain is as important for postoperative outcome as recurrent hernia. The incidence of pain or discomfort ranges up to 60% of operated patients. Despite the fact that laparoscopic hernia repair has been shown to reduce postoperative pain compared to open hernia repair, up to 5% of patients suffer from persistent discomfort. During that operation the mesh is either fixed using a stapler or tissue adhesive glue. With the current study we compare postoperative pain between patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair with either mesh fixation using a stapler or tissue adhesive. The use of von Frey monofilaments allows to describe pain with a high sensitivity.