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Erection pain after hernia repair

A few weeks ago I underwent a bilateral open hernia repair for inguinal hernias. The surgeon repaired the hernias using the Bassini technique, so no mesh was used. I've recovered quite well from the surgery, but the last few days when I've had erections, the base of the left side of my penis and my groin around the incision have been hurting. There is a sort of tight pulling feeling that is rather painful. Also, I've noticed for the first time that there is a small, thin vein (I'm assuming it's a vein) that is very hard and almost feels like a cord or wire under my skin. It runs roughly from the base of my penis an inch and a half toward the tip, is painful to the touch, so I wonder if it is at the root of the problem.

Any suggestions on what it could be, and what my course of action should be? One previous internet forum search found somebody with the same problem, and apparently his doctor told him it was likely the result of a blood clot that would clear up on its own. Thoughts? And f it is something I need to see my surgeon about, how do I even go about bringing something like this up?

Thanks a lot.

I had an inguinal hernia myself, but I have never heard about the Bassini, neither could I find any info on line. Most inguinal hernias are repaired with patches or plugs - I got the plug, no problems. Hernias leave a scar behind, and most people feel it, but is not bothersome. What you think is a vein, is probably not. Veins are hallow, and they blood is pressured, but they are not hard. Your case is probably a bundle of nerves that was displaced during surgery, or the result of the surgery . Surgeries leave scars, and what you have is probably a scar. I had a circumsision at 37, and a 1-inch nerve -hard like wire, about 1/4 thick appeared from the end of the head toward the back that wasn't there before. It was quite bothersome, and my urologist surgeon agreed, and nipped and removed it at his office. Talk about this posibility with your surgeon, even though he may refer to a urologist for removal.

That's strange you could find no information about the Bassini repair, as a simple Google search yields many results.

And as for your suggestion as to what is causing my problem, I appreciate it, but I find it odd that a surgery in my inguinal region could somehow make a nerve visibly appear at the base of my penis. It would explain the pain, but it just seems anatomically puzzling.

Does anybody else think this is a possibility?

I had double hernia repair about 18 months ago. They used screen to do it. However afterwards everything in the area was alot tighter. My erection seemed bigger and harder. The had pulled the fat pad tight around it. I also had the large vein for about 6 months after surgery. Then everything started to loosen up. I am sure they just pulled everything tight when they repaired it and after a few erections the pain will go away and after a few months the vein will go away also.

I personally liked it because it made my erection seem harder and larger. Now that area is back to almost how it was before minus the hernias sticking out.

And mine was about the most painful thing I have ever experienced. My testicles swelled up for a week or so, and it felt like everything ripped when I would sit on the toilet.

Any time you have surgery and find some kind of unanticipated symptom afterward it is ESSENTIAL that you phone your doctor's office (the one that did the surgery) and report your symptom. They will be able to tell you whether another appointment to examine the situation is recommended.

You may have a blocked lymph channel causing the pain, or there may be something else going on. It is important that you call your urologist today and discuss the issue before it has a chance to get any worse. No pain is normal.

hello, I would like you to know I am in the same boat. I have the same pain on the same side of my penis. I had my surgery in September 2008, almost a year ago. I have been going to specialists for the last year and still do not feel close to a solution. I also developed chronic pain, fibromyalgia. If you would like more info PM or email me. wish you the best