Chronic pain following totally extra-peritoneal inguinal hernia repair: a randomized clinical trial comparing glue and absorbable tackers

PURPOSE: Chronic pain following inguinal hernia repair occurs in up to 20% of patients. The underlying mechanism probably involves sensory nerve damage and abnormal healing that might be influenced by the materials chosen for mesh fixation. The main objective of this study was to compare glue and absorbable tackers on the rate of chronic pain after surgery in patients undergoing totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (TEP). METHODS: Patients undergoing (TEP) inguinal hernia repair were enrolled in a single-blind randomized clinical trial and were randomized for mesh fixation with glue (LIQUIBAND FIX 8 Neopharm) or absorbable tackers (SECURE STRAP Johnson & Johnson). Pain was assessed using a validated 4-point verbal-rank scale (none, mild, moderate, and severe) at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Chronic pain was defined as pain persisting beyond 3 months. RESULTS: Two hundred and eight patients were analyzed. The groups were similar in age, gender, and hernia side. Chronic pain of any intensity was reported in 31.7% (66/208) after 6 months and in 13% (29/208) after 12 months. No differences in postoperative pain were observed between the two forms of mesh fixation. Still, when only those with severe pain were considered, mesh fixation with glue resulted in less pain compared to fixation by tackers (log-rank p = 0.025). At 1 year, 4 symptomatic recurrent hernias were identified in patients whose mesh was fixated with absorbable tackers. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent TEP inguinal hernia repair with mesh fixated by glue suffered from less pain.