Sparing versus Division of Ilioinguinal Nerve in Open Mesh Repair of Inguinal Hernia

Abstract

e conducted a prospective study in an attempt to define the best management of the ilioinguinal nerve during tension-free inguinal hernioplasty regarding chronic postoperative pain. Chronic postoperative pain has been defined as pain which persists beyond normal tissue healing assumed to be 3 months. High incidence was reported in literature ranging from 4% up to 63%. Many theories were postulated in an attempt to understand pathophysiology of chronic post-hernioplasty pain. Many strategies to reduce chronic post-hernioplasty pain have been studied. The study was carried out on 80 patients presented with inguinal hernia. Patients were randomly divided into 2 similar groups. All patients were subjected to:  Full history taking including the demographic data, the present complaint and the risk factors,  Meticulous clinical examination including swelling characters, deep inguinal ring test as well as assessment of other hernia orifices,  Routine laboratory investigations,