Effect of millimeter wave on enhancing analgesia and reducing seroma after inguinal hernia repair of senile patients

Objective To investigate the effect of millimeter wave (MMW) on analgesia and reducing seroma after inguinal hernia repair in senile patients. Methods The clinical records of 63 patients (70 hernias) admitted to Beijing Friendship Hospital, from January 2015 to October 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. 70 hernias were divided either into MMW group (n=28) vs control group (n=42) or into non-seroma group (n=33) vs seroma group (n=37). Resting pain intensity was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) at 6 and 12 h postoperatively, while resting and activating pain intensity was assessed by VAS on 1, 2, 3 and 7 days after the surgery, respectively. The incidence of seroma was recorded. Results In resting condition, there were no statistic difference of VAS scores between MMW group and control group at 6, 12 hours and on 1 days after the surgery (all P>0.05), while VAS scores were significantly lower in MMW group than in control group on 2, 3 and 7 days postoperatively (all P<0.01). In activating condition, there were no statistic difference of VAS scores between MMW group and control group on 1-day postoperatively (P=0.052), while VAS scores were significantly lower in MMW group than in control group on 2-day, 3-day and 7-day postoperatively (all P=0.000). The incidence of seroma was 21.4% in MMW group and 54.8% in control group, respectively. MMW group has significantly lower incidence of seroma than control group (χ2=7.693, P=0.006). The average of VAS score was 2.57±0.56 in non-seroma group, while 3.23±0.68 in seroma group. The average of VAS score was significantly lower in non-seroma group than in seroma group (t=-4.338, P=0.006). Conclusion The application of MMW therapy after inguinal hernia repair in senile patients can enhance the effect of analgesia and reduce the incidence of seroma. Key words: Hernia, inguinal; Pain; Postoperative; Seroma