Laparoscopic plug removal for chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair using the plug-and-patch technique: a case report

Abstract Introduction The use of tension-free mesh repair techniques for inguinal hernias has led to uniformly low recurrence rates. The main associated morbidity is chronic postoperative inguinal pain. Mesh removal and triple neurectomy is the indicated procedure; there is insufficient evidence to support mesh removal alone without neurectomy in patients with chronic postoperative inguinal pain. Presentation of case A 76-year-old man previously underwent repair of a right inguinal direct hernia using the plug-and-patch technique. Two years later, he experienced groin pain requiring the use of pain medication. Five years after surgery, he expressed the desire to remove the mesh because of chronic pain, rated 8 out of 10 on a numeric rating scale. We suspected that he was experiencing nociceptive pain caused by a plug meshoma, so we performed a laparoscopic plug extraction. His inguinal pain improved to 2 out of 10 on the second postoperative day, and he stopped taking pain medication by 10 months after surgery. Discussion The laparoscopic approach to plug removal is safe and simple. We successfully avoided causing new-onset pain by not using a groin incision to remove the mesh plug. Conclusion Laparoscopic plug removal for nociceptive pain due to a plug meshoma is effective. However, since there is insufficient evidence to recommend mesh removal without triple neurectomy, informed consent and further consideration of techniques and diagnostic methods are needed.