Postoperative Pain After Endoscopic TEP vs. Lichtenstein Hernioplasty in Inguinal Hernia Repair

Early Postoperative Pain After Totally Extraperitoneal Endoscopic Technique (TEP) vs. Lichtenstein Hernioplasty in Inguinal Hernia Repair: a Prospective Randomized Multi-center Study

Immediate pain reaction and return to work after TEP or Lichtenstein hernia repair have not been studied. In this multicenter trial the patients are allocated to surgery using TEP (n=50) or Lichtenstein (n=50) technique. Pain and return to work are recorded postoperatively up to one month. Immediate and late complications are also analyzed.

Patient characteristics are recorded before surgery. The adult patients with inguinal hernia are randomized into endoscopic totally extraperitoneal hernioplasty (TEP) or open Lichtenstein hernioplasty. Pain reaction to surgery and return to work are asked many times using questionnaire and pain diary (pain scores from 1h to 30 days after surgery). Surgical complications and use of pain killers are carefully recorded. Clinical examination is performed if necessary.

Inclusion Criteria:

Clinical diagnosis of symptomatic inguinal hernia Age 18-80

Exclusion Criteria:

Large scrotal hernia Bilateral hernia Symptom-free hernia Inguinal pain without clinical evidence of hernia Asa class≥3