Chronic pain after mesh versus nonmesh repair of inguinal hernias: A systematic review and a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Stina Öberg, Kristoffer Andresen, Tobias W Klausen, Jacob Rosenberg

19 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain affects 10%-12% of patients after inguinal hernia repairs. Some have suggested that less foreign material may theoretically prevent pain. If the prevalence of chronic pain is less after nonmesh repairs, selected hernias might be repaired without mesh. Our aim was to clarify if nonmesh repairs are superior to mesh repairs regarding chronic pain.

METHODS: For this systematic review, searches were conducted in five databases. The main outcome was chronic pain reported a minimum of six months after mesh and nonmesh repair in adult patients with a primary inguinal hernia. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included.

RESULTS: A total of 23 RCTs with 5,444 patients were included. The median follow up was 1.4 years (range 0.5-10). Twenty-one studies reported crude chronic pain rates, and when considering moderate and severe pain, the prevalences of pain after nonmesh repairs and mesh repairs were similar: median 3.5% (0%-16.2%) versus median 2.9% (0%-27.6%), respectively. Both the meta-analyses and the network meta-analysis indicated no difference in chronic pain rates when comparing nonmesh repairs with open- and laparoscopic mesh repairs.

CONCLUSION: Mesh may be used without fear of causing a greater rate of chronic pain.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftSurgery
Vol/bind163
Udgave nummer5
Sider (fra-til)1151-1159
ISSN0039-6060
DOI
StatusUdgivet - maj 2018

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