Relationship Between Acute Phase Markers and Post-operative Pain in Open Tension-free Inguinal Hernia Repair: An Observational Study
Conditions: Post Operative Pain, Inguinal Hernia
Sponsor: University of Roma La Sapienza

 
Relationship Between Acute Phase Markers and Post-operative Pain in Open 
Tension-free Inguinal Hernia Repair: An Observational Study 
 
 
 
May 3, 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Background: Many patients undergoing Open Tension-free Inguinal Hernia Repair are 
prone to developing acute and chronic post-operative pain. 
The aim of the study is to show a possible correlation between pain and acute phase 
proteins in order to: 
 predict the severity of pain; 
 select most suitable pain relief therapy for the patient. 
 
Materials and methods: The day after surgery, some serum markers are determined by a 
blood sample. The markers analyzed are: 
 Leukocytes; 
 C-reactive protein (CRP); 
 D-dimer; 
 Fibrinogen; 
 Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR). 
 
Pain level is assessed using the NRS scale at different times: 
 1st post-operative day; 
 7th post-operative day; 
 One month after surgery; 
 Three months after surgery; 
 Six months after surgery. 
 
Other data collected for the study are: gender, age and BMI. 
 
SAP: Statistical Analysis Plan was expressed as percentages, median, and range of 
values. Differences between continuous variables were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U 
test, whereas differences between categorical variables were evaluated with the chi- 
square or the Fisher’s exact test, when appropriate. Variables achieving statistical 
significance (P<0.05) at univariate analysis were entered in a backward multivariate 
logistic regression model, removing the variable if P more than 0.10. P less than 0.05 was 
considered statistically significant. Statistical analysis was carried out with the SPSS 
software packaging (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL), version 13. 
 
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