Post‐herniographic abdominal pain syndrome

Purpose: To disclose the frequency of abdominal pain that led to post‐procedure hospitalization and the outcome of this major complication. Material and Methods: 576 patients who had undergone herniography during a 13‐year period were retrospectively analysed. Results: Nine out of 576 patients (1.6%) undergoing herniography with an iodine contrast medium developed abdominal pain. The pain resolved within 24 h in 6 patients while 3 patients had pain for up to 3 days. Conclusion: Patients who present with this pain syndrome thus only need careful clinical observation until asymptomatic, with no need for laparotomy or X‐ray examination. Prior to herniography, the patients should be informed about this potential complication.