Post-surgical pain, physical activity and satisfaction with the decision to undergo hernia surgery: a prospective qualitative investigation
Surgical repair is a common treatment for inguinal hernias but a substantial number of patients experience chronic pain after surgery. As some patients are pain-free on presenta tion, it is important to investigate whether patients perceive the treatment to be benefi cial. The present study used qualitative meth ods to explore experiences of pain, activity lim itations and satisfaction with treatment as people underwent surgery and recovery. Twenty-nine semi-structured interviews were conducted. Seven participants were inter viewed longitudinally: before surgery and two weeks and four months post-surgery. Ten fur ther participants with residual pain four months post-surgery were interviewed once. Semi-structured interviews included experi ence and perception of pain; activity limita tions; reasons for having surgery; satisfaction with the decision to undergo surgery. A the matic analysis was conducted. Pain did not cause concern when perceived as part of the usual surgery and recovery processes. Activity was limited to avoid damage to the hernia site rather than to avoid pain. None of the partici pants reported dissatisfaction with the deci sion to have surgery; reducing the risk of life threatening complications associated with untreated hernias was considered important. These findings suggest that people regarded surgical treatment as worthwhile, despite chronic post-surgical pain. Further research should ascertain whether patients are aware of the actual risk of complications associated with conservative rather than surgical man agement of inguinal hernia.
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