Surgical Treatment of Chronic Groin and Testicular Pain after Laparoscopic and Open Preperitoneal Inguinal Hernia Repair

BACKGROUND: Standard triple neurectomy does not address inguinodynia secondary to neuropathy of the genitofemoral nerve and the preperitoneal segment of its genital branch seen after inguinal hernia repair performed laparoscopically or in open preperitoneal fashion. STUDY DESIGN: Standard triple neurectomy was extended to include the genitofemoral nerve. Sixteen patients with chronic groin pain after laparoscopic and open preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair underwent operative triple neurectomy, with resection of the main trunk of the genitofemoral nerve in the retroperitoneum over the psoas muscle. All patients had previously undergone unsuccessful extensive nonsurgical pain management. RESULTS: Fourteen of 16 patients had significant improvement of their pain, as evidenced by a decrease in subjectively reported postoperative pain levels as compared with their preoperative baseline, a decrease or complete elimination of daily narcotic dependence, and return to baseline activities of daily living and work. One of the nonresponder patients underwent a previous open prostatectomy, and exposure of the genitofemoral nerve was not possible due to scarring from the prostatectomy. The other nonresponder patient continues to experience subjective pain equivalent to preoperative levels due to the sensation of firmness and incisional pain that arose in the setting of a postoperative wound infection. He does, however, report that his pain is of different character and quality from his preneurectomy pain and is primarily centered around the incision. His follow-up has not been long enough to determine if his symptoms will improve as his incision and scar remodel. CONCLUSIONS: Extension of the standard triple neurectomy to include the genitofemoral nerve for treatment of inguinodynia after open and laparoscopic preperitoneal mesh repair is a safe and effective procedure. (J Am Coll Surg 2011;213:531-536. (C) 2011 by the American College of Surgeons)