Can Nerve Detection be Performed with Dermatome Mapping in Open Hernia Repair?

Abstract Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures in the world. Currently, recurrence rates have reduced to less than 5% after mesh repair, but chronic groin pain (CGP) remains a major concern in open hernia surgery. The aim of the study was to detect neuropathic pain associated with iatrogenic nerve damage using the dermatome mapping test (DMT) and to evaluate the preventability of CPG. The study was designed and conducted as a prospective longitudinal observation study in postoperative open hernioplasty patients. The study included 71 adult patients with a primary inguinal hernia, who underwent a standard open surgical procedure for hernia repair using a polypropylene mesh (Lichtenstein’s technique). The dermatome mapping classification was performed in each patient, and the test results were recorded. Seven (9.9%) patients with surgery-related pain lasting for three months or longer after surgery were considered to have CGP, and pain was related to iatrogenic nerve damage in two of these cases. Based on the results, we consider that the anatomical location of the nerves can be easily determined using DMT, and CGP can be prevented.