Quality of Life and Post-operative Pain Following Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair with Self-Fixating Mesh: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair using self-fixating mesh has been associated with advantages such as reduced post-operative pain and fewer complications. However, chronic pain and quality-of-life outcomes remain concerns. Objective: To evaluate post-operative quality of life and pain following transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) hernia repair using self-fixating mesh. Methods: This prospective observational study included 90 patients undergoing TAPP hernia repair in a institution in Brazil between 2023 and 2025. Quality of life was assessed using the EuraHS-QoL questionnaire at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months post-operatively. Pain was measured using a numeric rating scale. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, including linear mixed models, were applied. Results: Most patients were male (94.4%) with a mean age of 57.9 years. EuraHS-QoL scores improved significantly at 3 and 6 months post-operatively compared to baseline (p < 0.001). No significant improvement was noted at 1 month. Pain and cosmetic domain scores improved early, while the restriction domain showed delayed improvement. Chronic pain rates at 3 months were among the lowest reported in the literature. Conclusion: TAPP hernia repair with self-fixating mesh resulted in significant quality-of-life improvement beginning at 3 months post-operatively. The self-fixating mesh technique demonstrated favorable outcomes, including low chronic pain incidence.