Which of the following could indicate a surgical complication following an inguinal hernia repair?

Swelling at the incision site following an inguinal hernia repair could indeed indicate a surgical complication. After surgery, it is normal for there to be some degree of swelling as part of the healing process; however, excessive or increased swelling could signal issues such as infection, hematoma, or failure of the surgical repair. Monitoring the surgical site for signs of excessive swelling, along with other symptoms, is crucial in assessing the recovery and identifying potential complications early on.

In contrast, increased energy levels and pain relief are considered positive outcomes following surgery, suggesting effective management of pain and improvement in overall well-being. The presence of no change in bowel habits postoperatively would also not generally indicate a complication. In fact, some patients may expect temporary changes in bowel habits due to anesthesia and postoperative pain medications, so a lack of change could further indicate that there are no complications affecting bowel motility.