Successful endoscopic treatment of chronic groin pain in athletes

Surg Endosc. 2007 Feb;21(2):189-93. doi: 10.1007/s00464-005-0781-6. Epub 2006 Nov 21.

Abstract

Background: Chronic groin pain, especially in professional sportsmen, is a difficult clinical problem.

Methods: From January 1999 to August 2005, 55 professional and semiprofessional sportsmen (53 males; mean age, 25 +/- 4.5 years; range, 17-36 years) with undiagnosed chronic groin pain were followed prospectively. All the patients underwent an endoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) mesh placement.

Results: Incipient hernia was diagnosed in the study athletes: 15 on the right side (27%), 12 on the left side (22%), and 9 bilaterally (16%). In 20 patients (36%), an inguinal hernia was found: 3 direct inguinal hernias (5%) and 17 indirect hernias (31%). All the athletes returned to their normal sports level within 3 months after the operation.

Conclusions: A TEP repair must be proposed to patients with prolonged groin pain unresponsive to conservative treatment. If no clear pathology is identified, reinforcement of the wall using a mesh offers good clinical results for athletes with idiopathic groin pain.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Athletic Injuries / complications*
  • Athletic Injuries / diagnosis
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Groin / physiopathology
  • Hernia, Inguinal / diagnosis
  • Hernia, Inguinal / etiology*
  • Hernia, Inguinal / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy / adverse effects
  • Laparoscopy / methods*
  • Male
  • Pain / etiology
  • Pain / surgery
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pain, Postoperative / physiopathology
  • Pain, Postoperative / rehabilitation
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Probability
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sports*
  • Surgical Mesh
  • Treatment Outcome