The Harald Breivik lecture 2022. Pathophysiology in persistent severe pain after groin hernia repair

Scand J Pain. 2022 Aug 18;22(4):686-689. doi: 10.1515/sjpain-2022-0103. Print 2022 Oct 26.

Abstract

The transition from a healthy to a persistent severe pain state following otherwise successful elective surgery is a feared complication. Groin hernia repair, previously considered minor surgery, is a standard surgical procedure annually performed on 2,000 individuals per one million residents. A trajectory into persistent severe pain is, unfortunately, seen in 2-4%, severely impeding physical and psychosocial daily functions.

Keywords: chronic post-surgical pain; groin; hernia repair; reoperation; sensory thresholds.

MeSH terms

  • Elective Surgical Procedures / adverse effects
  • Groin / surgery
  • Hernia, Inguinal* / complications
  • Hernia, Inguinal* / surgery
  • Herniorrhaphy* / adverse effects
  • Herniorrhaphy* / methods
  • Humans
  • Pain, Postoperative / etiology
  • Pain, Postoperative / surgery