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Groin hernia repair is accompanied by persistent severe pain in 2-4% of the patients significantly restraining psychophysical functions. Re-surgery with meshectomy and selective neurectomy may improve the pain condition, compared to non-surgical alternatives. In the current study, the primary objective was to examine and describe the underlying pathophysiological perturbations by quantitative somatosensory testing before and after re-surgery.
Persistent severe pain occurring in the aftermath of a surgical procedure is frequently associated with significant impairment of physical and psycho-social functions. After groin hernia repair (GHR), 2-4% of patients develop persistent severe pain. The GHR procedure, previously considered belonging to "minor" surgeries, qualifies as a rather complex procedure performed in a territory with a high density of nerve fibers, accommodating essential functions for locomotion and reproduction. More than 20 million repairs are performed annually worldwide, and consequently, it is estimated that 400.000-800.000 patients each year will develop persistent severe pain after the groin hernia repair (PSPG). Management of PSPG is medically challenging and may require re-surgery with mesh removal and selective neurectomy. After re-surgery for pain after open primary GHR, a potential pain-relieving effect, as well as an improvement of the deteriorated physical functions, has been demonstrated.
Quantitative somatosensory testing (QST) is an investigational psychophysiological tool with the potential to uncover the putative pathophysiological substrate in PSPG, i.e., neuropathic and inflammatory constituents. The method may also be used to quantitate changes induced by the re-surgery. Since re-surgery is a neuroablative procedure, essentially performed in previously damaged tissue, it is of interest to examine the extent of neurological perturbations, i.e., 'loss' and 'gain' of sensory functions and the relation to clinical outcome measures.
The authors are only aware of one previous PSPG-study (n = 21) finding that re-surgery, including meshectomy and selective neurectomy, was associated with increased pain pressure thresholds, decreased pain ratings and improved pain-related functional measures. The objectives of the current study, comparing pre with post-re-surgery data, were first to perform a more detailed analysis of the quantitative somatosensory data regarding 'loss' and 'gain' of sensory functions and their relation to clinical outcome measures. Second, to corroborate the clinical outcome findings of the previous study using a threefold larger cohort.
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Re-surgery | Procedure | Re-surgery with meshectomy and selective neurectomy |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal thresholds | Warmth detection threshold (WDT), cool detection threshold, heat pain threshold (HPT) and cold pain threshold (CPT) are made by a computerized contact thermode (Thermotest, Somedic AB, Sweden) with an active thermal surface of 12.5 cm^2 (2.5 x 5.0 cm^2). The thresholds are determined from a baseline temperature of 32°C with a ramp rate of + 1°C/s. Cut-offs for heat and cold are 50°C and 5°C, respectively. The assessments are made in triplicate and the mean values are used in the statistical analyses. | 3-6 months |
| Pressure algometry | Deep-tissue pain sensitivity is assessed using a hand-held pressure algometer with a neoprene-coated tip of area 1.0 cm2 (Somedic AB, Sweden), as previously described. The algometer is applied perpendicularly to the skin with a pressure rate of 30 kPa/s. The study subject is told to report the pressure pain threshold (PPT) by activating the button device when pain is perceived. The cut-off limit is 350 kPa. Testing is done in triplicate and the average value is used in the statistical analyses. | 3-6 months |
| Suprathreshold heat stimulation | A short tonic heat stimulus (heating area 12.5 cm^2; ramp rate: 1°C/s, plateau: 47°C, 5 s; STH) is delivered in order to evaluate the suprathreshold heat pain perception (NRS). | 3-6 months |
| Temporal summation | Temporal summation test, i.e., the perception in response to repetitive (0.3 to 3 Hz) mechanical stimulation [i.e., wind-up like pain: WUP], indicates presence of central sensitization. The repetitive 1 Hz stimuli for 60 s are either dynamically delivered by a brush or statically delivered by a polyamide filament (one nominal rank below TPT). The study subjects are told to report the level of pain (NRS) every 15 s-1 during the stimulation. Signs of aftersensations are followed 60 s after discontinuation of the stimulation, and the intensity of discomfort or pain is rated by NRS. | 3-6 months |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Activity Assessment Scale (AAS) | Changes in AAS scores before and thre-six months after operation | 3-6 months |
| Pain intensity scores (NRS) | Changes in pain intensity scores (NRS) at rest, on average and maximally before and thre-six months after operation |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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Patients with persistent severe pain after groin hernia repair.
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| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multidisciplinary Pain Center, Neuroscience Center, Copenhagen University Hospital, DENMARK | Copenhagen | 2100 | Denmark |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32631293 | Background | Bande D, Molto L, Pereira JA, Montes A. Chronic pain after groin hernia repair: pain characteristics and impact on quality of life. BMC Surg. 2020 Jul 6;20(1):147. doi: 10.1186/s12893-020-00805-9. | |
| 27908839 | Background | Chapman CR, Vierck CJ. The Transition of Acute Postoperative Pain to Chronic Pain: An Integrative Overview of Research on Mechanisms. J Pain. 2017 Apr;18(4):359.e1-359.e38. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2016.11.004. Epub 2016 Nov 28. |
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Data will be made available as a supplement to the published scientific article.
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D010149 | Pain, Postoperative |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D011183 | Postoperative Complications |
| D010335 | Pathologic Processes |
| D013568 | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |
| D010146 | Pain |
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| 3-6 months |
| Background | Campanelli G, Bruni PG, Morlacchi A, Cavalli M. Chronic Pain after Inguinal Hernia Repair. In: Campanelli G, editor. Inguinal Hernia Surgery. Milano: Springer Milan; 2017. p. 157-68. |
| 28025741 | Background | Nikkolo C, Kirsimagi U, Vaasna T, Murruste M, Suumann J, Seepter H, Lepner U. Prospective study evaluating the impact of severity of chronic pain on quality of life after inguinal hernioplasty. Hernia. 2017 Apr;21(2):199-205. doi: 10.1007/s10029-016-1569-4. Epub 2016 Dec 26. |
| 29330835 | Background | HerniaSurge Group. International guidelines for groin hernia management. Hernia. 2018 Feb;22(1):1-165. doi: 10.1007/s10029-017-1668-x. Epub 2018 Jan 12. |
| 30820781 | Background | Jorgensen SG, Oberg S, Rosenberg J. Treatment of longstanding groin pain: a systematic review. Hernia. 2019 Dec;23(6):1035-1044. doi: 10.1007/s10029-019-01919-7. Epub 2019 Feb 28. |
| 29670394 | Background | Andresen K, Rosenberg J. Management of chronic pain after hernia repair. J Pain Res. 2018 Apr 5;11:675-681. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S127820. eCollection 2018. |
| 31415351 | Background | Jensen EK, Ringsted TK, Bischoff JM, Petersen MA, Rosenberg J, Kehlet H, Werner MU. A national center for persistent severe pain after groin hernia repair: Five-year prospective data. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Aug;98(33):e16600. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000016600. |
| 24849039 | Background | Werner MU. Management of persistent postsurgical inguinal pain. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2014 Jun;399(5):559-69. doi: 10.1007/s00423-014-1211-9. Epub 2014 May 23. |
| 23494661 | Background | Bischoff JM, Enghuus C, Werner MU, Kehlet H. Long-term follow-up after mesh removal and selective neurectomy for persistent inguinal postherniorrhaphy pain. Hernia. 2013 Jun;17(3):339-45. doi: 10.1007/s10029-013-1073-z. Epub 2013 Mar 15. |
| 15962258 | Background | Aasvang E, Kehlet H. Surgical management of chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair. Br J Surg. 2005 Jul;92(7):795-801. doi: 10.1002/bjs.5103. |
| 19212190 | Background | Aasvang EK, Kehlet H. The effect of mesh removal and selective neurectomy on persistent postherniotomy pain. Ann Surg. 2009 Feb;249(2):327-34. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0b013e31818eec49. |
| 21479588 | Background | Linderoth G, Kehlet H, Aasvang EK, Werner MU. Neurophysiological characterization of persistent pain after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Hernia. 2011 Oct;15(5):521-9. doi: 10.1007/s10029-011-0815-z. Epub 2011 Apr 9. |
| D009461 | Neurologic Manifestations |
| D012816 | Signs and Symptoms |