Telephone survey of inguinal hernia repair patients older than 5 years for chronic pain

Authors

  • Didem Baskın Embleton Department of Pediatric Surgery, Afyon Kocatepe University Medical Faculty, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
  • Ahmet A. Tuncer Department of Pediatric Surgery, Afyon Kocatepe University Medical Faculty, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
  • Salih Çetinkurşun Department of Pediatric Surgery, Afyon Kocatepe University Medical Faculty, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20181998

Keywords:

Child, Chronic pain, Inguinal hernia, Postoperative

Abstract

Background: Little is known about chronic pain in the inguinal region following inguinal hernia repair in children. A study was conducted to examine whether pain is an important complication of inguinal hernia surgery in children.

Methods: A telephone survey was performed of former patients who had undergone inguinal hernia repair and are now older than 5 years. A questionnaire was prepared and the questions were asked by paediatric surgeons.

Results: There were 66 former patients now older than 5 years old. Patients had inguinal hernia repair at between 11 days and 14 years of age (mean 3.24 years). Age during telephone survey was between 5 and 18 years (mean 7.48 years). One patient had late pain related to direct inguinal hernia occurrence (1.5%). Three patients described non-specific abdominal pain unrelated to the inguinal operation. None of the patients were taking painkillers.

Conclusions: Although this is a small sample group, chronic pain does not seem to be a serious problem after inguinal hernia repair in children.

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Published

2018-05-24

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Original Research Articles