Outcome of Elective Prophylactic Ilioinguinal Neurectomy in Prevention of Chronic Groin Pain After Open Inguinal Hernia Repair

Chronic groin pain is one of the most important complications of the repair of inguinal hernia. Randomized trials have identified that chronic groin pain (>10%) surpasses recurrence (<2%). Factors proposed as predictors of post-operative pain are damage to inguinal nerves, nerve entrapment during suturing, fibrosis of the placed material as well as that of surrounding area, mesh implantation, partial division and neuroma formation. Routine ilioinguinal division or excision has been associated with a lower incidence of post-operative neuralgia compared to nerve preservation with reduced morbidity and no detrimental effect on quality of life.