Ilioinguinal neurectomy in open inguinal hernia mesh repair

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term impact of ilioinguinal neurectomy on the incidence of postoperative neuralgia and paraesthesia following the tension free Lichtenstein`s hernia repair. Study design: Case Descriptive Study. Place and duration of study: DHQ Hospital, Faisalabad (January 2003 - January 2005). Patients and methods: A total of 200 patients having unilateral inguinal hernia were included in the study. After a detailed history, patients were subjected to standard Lichtenstein inguinal hernioplasty. All patients underwent elective ilioinguinal neurectomy at the time of hernioplasty. Postoperative pain and paraesthesia were recorded and categorized on a mild, moderate or severe scale. Patients were followed 1 month, 6month and 1 year postoperatively. Results: The incidence of chronic pain was 9% at 1 month & 6% at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. None of the patients developed severe persistent pain in inguinal region. The incidence of post operative paraesthesia showed a continuous decli ne. It was 32% at 1 month, 24% at 6 month and 19% at 1 year of follow up. The paraesthesia was never severe or bothersome at the end of the follow up period. Conclusion:Routine ilioinguinal neurectomy significantly reduces the chronic post-hernioplasty inguinal pain. Moreover it is safe to perform & well tolerated by the patients.