Mesh removal vs. no removal: which eases groin pain after hernia surgery?

NCT ID NCT05484635

Symptom relief Sponsor: David Krpata Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether removing the surgical mesh used in hernia repair can reduce long-term groin pain. About 70 adults who have had pain for more than 6 months after minimally invasive hernia surgery will be randomly assigned to either have the mesh removed or not. Researchers will compare pain levels between the two groups to see if removal makes a difference.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: surgical mesh removal
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that removing the mesh is a better way to relieve long-term groin pain after hernia surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial with only 70 people. It may not prove that mesh removal works for everyone, and surgery itself carries risks like infection or nerve damage.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 70 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Jul 2022

Expected to finish

Jul 2028

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * \> 18 years of age * CPIP lasting \> 6 months after laparoscopic or robotic inguinal hernia repair with pre-peritoneal mesh * Must exhibit 1 or more of the following characteristics of nociceptive pain: History: * Pain while sitting in a chair for prolonged periods of time with relief when extending the hip or lying supine to straighten the leg * Severe pain when crossing the affected leg over the contralateral leg * "Foreign body sensation" or "tightness" in the groin Exam: -Diffuse tenderness with deep palpation along the inguinal ligament (over the mesh) Somatosensory mapping: * Does not have a maximum trigger point for pain * Lacks characteristics of neuropathic pain (sharp, burning, shooting, paresthesias, allodynia, hyperalgesia, etc.) * Moderate to severe pain \[4-10\] when moving from supine to standing on NRS Exclusion Criteria: * No characteristics of nociceptive groin pain * Zero or mild pain \[0-3\] when moving from supine to standing on NRS * Recurrent inguinal hernia detected on clinical exam * Large, femoral, direct or indirect inguinal hernia (F2-3, M2-3, L2-3) on diagnostic laparoscopy as defined by European Hernia Society (EHS) classification * Prior open (anterior) approach to inguinal hernia repair (i.e. Lichtenstein) * Prior mesh plugs or Prolene Hernia Systems * History of prostatectomy or vascular procedures in the pelvis or groin

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Hernia, Inguinal

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Chronic groin pain Hernia, inguinal

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

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Mesh removal vs. no removal: which eases groin pain after hernia surgery?

What the study statuses mean