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The Pfannenstiel incision (a slightly curved transverse incision just above the pubic symphysis) is commonly used to enter the abdominal cavity in women, because it results in an easily concealed scar and a very low incidence of subsequent incisional hernias. However, little information exists on the prevalence of chronic pain after such an incision has been made.
Dutch investigators surveyed 690 women who underwent primary or secondary cesarean delivery or abdominal hysterectomy through Pfannenstiel incisions during a 2-year period at one medical center. One third of women (223) reported chronic pain at their incision sites in the month before assessment, which occurred at a median 26 months after surgery; 61 women noted pain on a regular o…