Open AccessChronic Inguinal Pain After Kidney Transplantation, a Common and Underexposed Problem
Author(s) -
Zorgdrager Marcel,
Lange Johan. F. M.,
Krikke Christina.,
Nieuwenhuijs Gertrude. J.,
Hofker Sybrand. H.,
Leuvenink Henri. G. D.,
Pol Robert A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
world journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.115
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1432-2323
pISSN - 0364-2313
DOI - 10.1007/s00268-016-3713-9
Subject(s) - medicine , chronic pain , inguinal hernia , incidence (geometry) , surgery , univariate analysis , comorbidity , abdominal surgery , kidney transplantation , transplantation , visual analogue scale , neuropathic pain , cardiothoracic surgery , multivariate analysis , anesthesia , hernia , physical therapy , optics , physics
Background The incidence and impact of chronic inguinal pain after kidney transplantation is not clearly established. A high incidence of pain after inguinal hernia repair, a comparable surgical procedure, suggests an underexposed problem. Methods Between 2011 and 2013, 403 consecutive patients who underwent kidney transplantation were invited to complete the Caroline Comfort Scale (CCS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) in order to assess the incidence of chronic inguinal pain and movement disabilities, complemented by questions regarding comorbidity during follow‐up. Results The response rate was 58 % ( n = 199) with a median follow‐up of 22 months (IQR 12–30). In total, 90 patients (45 %) reported a CCS > 0 and 64 patients (32 %) experienced at least mild but bothersome complaints. Most inguinal complaints were reported during bending over and walking with a mean CCS score of 1.1 (SD ± 2.2) and 1.2 (SD ± 2.4), respectively. A high body mass index (BMI), delayed graft function, and the need for a second operation were associated with a higher CCS score on univariate analysis. Using multivariate analysis, only BMI ( p = 0.02) was considered an independent risk factor for chronic inguinal pain. Conclusions The incidence of chronic inguinal pain is a common though underexposed complication after kidney transplantation. More awareness to prevent neuropathic pain seems indicated.