HomeAnswersGeneral Surgeryinguinal herniaWhy do I have pain after hernia and hydrocele surgery?

I am having pain after inguinal hernia and hydocele operation. Please help.

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Divya Banu M

Published At June 5, 2019
Reviewed AtMarch 1, 2024

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

After suffering with groin pain, I had a double operation 12 weeks ago. During the operation, I had a repair of left side inguinal hernia and right hand hydrocele. I am now in more pain than I was before the operation. My testicle thorns with pain constantly and I have stabbing pain on hernia side. It feels like someone is sticking a bottle in me. I am struggling to walk very far, climb stairs and drive. I am unable to have a sex life. Is it normal to do both operations at the same time? Can you explain any possible cause for pain?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Well, ideally if you have bilateral inguinal hernia, or inguinaĺ hernia on one side and hydrocele on the other, the surgery should be done for one first before the other, not simultaneously. So that when you are fully recovered of one, then the other can be planned and done. Pain can be due to entrapment of a nerve like ileoinguinal or ileohypogastric nerves which run with the spermatic cords or it could be also present if there is improper repair with subsequent breakdown of the repair and subsequent herniation of the bowel content into the inguinal ring or it can be from infection of the operation site. 12 weeks is quite a long time for surgical pains to have disappeared.

You will need to do an abdominal pelvic ultrasound scan to see if there is any reccurance or failure of the surgery or if there is entrapment of visceral content.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

I have had an MRI done today. Please help.

Thank you.

Hi,

Glad to have you back!

I am here to help you get the best medical advice.

I have gone through the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging; attachments removed to protect patient identity). There does not seem to be any visible abdominal organ problem; all soft tissues seem to have their normal anatomy. A nerve entrapment can not be visualized with an MRI, especially the ilioinguinal nerve. This is one common problem associated with inguinal hernia repair.

I would make some prescriptions, to help with your pain. I also recommend consulting a physiotherapist for nerve exercise and stimulation. It will help a long way in relieving your pains and bringing you back to your former pain-free state. Mesh repair is commonly used in most advanced countries for the benefit of reducing the recurrence of the hernia, but not without complication. However, none of it is pain, tissue, and nerve entrapment, which is very likely in your case. Is there discharge from the operation site? Is there a good wound healing? Do you have any swellings or tenderness? You can take the following medication:

1. Tablet Athrotec (Diclofenac sodium and Misoprostol) 75 mg twice daily for a week.

2. Tablet Neurovite forte (Vitamin B complex) one tablet twice daily for a week.

3. Tablet Vitamin C.

Consult your doctor and take the medications accordingly.

I hope this information helps provide some insight into your symptoms.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or concerns.

Thank you.

The Probable causes

The probable cause is nerve entrapment.

Treatment plan

1. Tablet Athrotec (Diclofenac sodium and Misoprostol) 75 mg twice daily for a week. 2. Tablet Neurovite forte (Vitamin B complex) one tablet twice daily for a week. 3. Tablet Vitamin C. Engage a physiotherapist for some nerve exercise and pain control.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

There were nerves removed in the operation. Is this visible? Do the testicles look normal? Yes, there is swelling and tenderness around the testicle. Is the mesh used in the operation visible in the MRI?

Thank you.

Hi,

Glad to have you back!

I am here to help you get the best medical advice.

The nerve may be cut mistakenly, which can cause pain. You ought to be elevating the testicles to reduce swelling because swelling can occur after every operation of hernia. We apply pressure clothing and elevate the testicle to help in venous return and lymphatic drainage to reduce swellings. The mesh was not very visible; I could not really get the image clear. If you are having swelling, I also suggest tab Chymoral (Aceclofenac, Paracetamol and Trypsin-chymotrypsin), two tablets thrice daily for six days. Consult your doctor and take the medicine accordingly.

I hope this information helps provide some insight into your symptoms.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or concerns.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Do the testicles look normal? The nerve was removed as part of the operation, not mistakenly. Is it normal to see mesh on the MRI?

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concern.

Is that what your doctor said, that he removed a nerve?

Please revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Yes, he said a nerve was removed.

Thank you.

Hi,

Glad to have you back!I am here to help you get best medical advice.

That is fine.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Can you see if a nerve has been removed? Does the testicles look normal? Is there any post-operative inflammation?

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concern.

From the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging; attachments removed to protect patient identity), the soft tissues all appear normal, the testicles are equal bilaterally, the epididymis overlying the testes are normal and equal bilaterally, and both well-positioned in the scrotal sacs. So the MRI appears to be normal. There is no inflammation noted.

I hope this information helps provide some insight into your symptoms.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or concerns.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Ohams Ike Henry
Dr. Ohams Ike Henry

General Practitioner

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