Reducing the pain of open groin hernia repair

Pain after open mesh repair of groin hernia has a multifactorial etiology. Suturing technique for anchoring the mesh is important. Sutures placed too tightly, a common practice, are often the site of pain and point tenderness. These "pain points" are often precisely felt by patients and may vary in their intensity and duration. We believe that this type of suturing-technique-related pain can be significantly reduced by an "air-knotting" technique described below. The mesh was anchored with sutures tied in a subtle air-knot. In the event of accidentally incorporating a nerve in the knot, an air knot is less likely to cause the distressing symptoms of entrapment neuralgia. All knots are tied above the mesh and not across the edge of the mesh. Using this technique, we believe a significant reduction in the sharp, well-localized point pain can be achieved. © Springer-Verlag 2004.