Hernia mesh removal is the only cure for severe chronic hernia mesh pain. Other commonly prescribed treatments are ineffective and ill advised. These include: do nothing and wait, pain medication, nerve ablation, nerve depressant medication, steroid injection, acupressure, psychotherapy, antidepressants and more. Medications do not work very well because of side effect intolerance and development of tolerance to the medication. Nerve ablation gives temporary relief. Steroid injection gives modest temporary relief.
In Dr. Petersen's experience simple explant without nerve ablation gives the best rate of permanent cure. Nerve ablation is not recommended because it can result in dysesthesia. This is a very uncomfortable sensation which is not really pain but it can be very distressing to patients. 75% of patients enjoy permanent cure. 23% of patients are partially relieved. 2% of patients 
say that their pain was made worse by the surgery. The surgery is very safe. Dr. Petersen has had no serious complications in 500+ cases. We have heard of many surgeons saying that mesh removal is impossible because the risk of a serious complication is high. .
References
- Aasvang E, Kehlet H. Surgical management of chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair. Br J Surg. 2005 Jul;92(7):795-801. doi: 10.1002/bjs.5103. PMID: 15962258.
- Amid PK. Causes, prevention, and surgical treatment of postherniorrhaphy neuropathic inguinodynia: triple neurectomy with proximal end implantation. Hernia. 2004 Dec;8(4):343-9.
- Beel E, Berrevoet F. Surgical treatment for chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair: a systematic literature review. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2022 Mar;407(2):541-548.
- Campanelli G, Bertocchi V, Cavalli M, Bombini G, Biondi A, Tentorio T, Sfeclan C, Canziani M. Surgical treatment of chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair. Hernia. 2013 Jun;17(3):347-53.
- Klosterhalfen B, Klinge U. Retrieval study at 623 human mesh explants made of polypropylene--impact of mesh class and indication for mesh removal on tissue reaction. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater. 2013 Nov;101(8):
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