Mesh Removal Versus No Mesh Removal for Chronic Groin Pain After Inguinal Hernia Repair

David Krpata70 enrolled

Overview

This study is evaluating the management of chronic post-operative inguinal hernia pain and the impact of hernia mesh removal after previous minimally invasive inguinal hernia repairs. The study aims are to evaluate the change in chronic (\>6 months), nociceptive, postoperative inguinal pain after mesh removal compared to no mesh removal in patients who have previously undergone minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair with pre-peritoneal mesh.

This is a double-blinded, parallel (1:1) group, randomized-controlled, superiority trial. Patients will be blinded to their treatment allocation and will understand that by entering the study, they may receive diagnostic laparoscopy only in which case their mesh will not be removed. However, they will be allowed to consider crossing over to the mesh removal group 6 months or later after surgery if they do not have adequate pain relief. Patients will receive written and oral descriptions of the trial and will be provided time to review written documentation in private. Written and oral consent will be obtained, and patients will understand that their participation is voluntary and refusal to participate will not affect future medical care. Patients may also withdraw from the trial at any point throughout the study period. The Cleveland Clinic Center for Abdominal Core Health, a center within the Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute (DDSI), at Cleveland Clinic Foundation Main Campus in Cleveland, Ohio is the hosting department for this study. Cleveland Clinic - Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights, Ohio will also be a participating center in this study. Fellowship-trained surgeons with expertise in complex abdominal wall reconstruction and mesh removal will perform the operations. If enrollment fails to meet necessary accrual size within the study timeframe, additional centers may be invited to participate.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Chronic Groin Pain Hernia, Inguinal

Interventions

Diagnostic laparoscopy and inguinal mesh removalPROCEDURE

Surgical examination and treatment of groin pain following inguinal hernia surgery by surgical exploration with a laparoscope or removal of mesh laparoscopically

Diagnostic laparoscopyPROCEDURE

Surgical examination through laparoscopy without removal of mesh

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * \> 18 years of age * CPIP lasting \> 6 months after laparoscopic or robotic inguinal hernia repair with pre-peritoneal mesh * Must exhibit 1 or more of the following characteristics of nociceptive pain: History: * Pain while sitting in a chair for prolonged periods of time with relief when extending the hip or lying supine to straighten the leg * Severe pain when crossing the affected leg over the contralateral leg * "Foreign body sensation" or "tightness" in the groin Exam: -Diffuse tenderness with deep palpation along the inguinal ligament (over the mesh) Somatosensory mapping: * Does not have a maximum trigger point for pain * Lacks characteristics of neuropathic pain (sharp, burning, shooting, paresthesias, allodynia, hyperalgesia, etc.) * Moderate to severe pain \[4-10\] when moving from supine to standing on NRS Exclusion Criteria: * No characteristics of nociceptive groin pain * Zero or mild pain \[0-3\] when moving from supine to standing on NRS * Recurrent inguinal hernia detected on clinical exam * Large, femoral, direct or indirect inguinal hernia (F2-3, M2-3, L2-3) on diagnostic laparoscopy as defined by European Hernia Society (EHS) classification * Prior open (anterior) approach to inguinal hernia repair (i.e. Lichtenstein) * Prior mesh plugs or Prolene Hernia Systems * History of prostatectomy or vascular procedures in the pelvis or groin

Locations (1)

Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

RECRUITING

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-11)

NRS-11 is a validated, 11-point scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable) and is commonly used to measure Chronic Post-operative Inguinal Pain (CPIP). NRS-11 categorizes pain as none \[0\], mild \[1-3\], moderate \[4-6\], and severe \[7-10\]. Patients will be asked to select the single number that best represents their groin pain intensity when moving from a supine to standing position.

Time frame: Change in NRS-11 scores will be measured from baseline to 6 months after surgery for both groups.

Secondary Outcomes

Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

VAS is validated and consists of a 100 mm horizontal line anchored by two descriptors indicating the extremes: 0 (no pain) and 100 (worst pain imaginable).

Time frame: Baseline, 3-months and 6-months

Activities Assessment Scale (AAS)

AAS is a 13-item, validated tool measuring physical impairment due to chronic groin pain. AAS scores are converted to a range of 0-100, with higher values indicating better functional ability.

Time frame: Baseline, 3-months and 6-months

EuroQOL (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire

EQ-5D-5L is a validated tool evaluating 5 dimensions of health using 5 severity descriptors and includes a visual analog scale labeled from 0 to 100 to quantitatively measure overall health status. The larger the number the better the outcome.

Time frame: Baseline, 3-months and 6-months

Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-11)

Central Contacts

David Krpata, MD

CONTACT

216-445-9989 krpatad@ccf.org

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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