[Decompression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve of the thigh : Treatment of meralgia paresthetica].

OBJECTIVE

Treatment of non-responding pain to conservative treatment located at the anterolateral thigh with surgical decompression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve of the thigh (LFCN).

INDICATIONS: Compression syndrome of the LFCN; patients suffering from the following symptoms: pain (dysesthesia), numbness (paresthesia), hypersensibility to temperature (or temperature changes) along the course of the LFCN located at the anterolateral thigh.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: A new or recrudescent hernia with additional pain or recent laparoscopic hernia repair as a supposed iatrogenically induced compression of the LFCN.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Dissection and release of the LFCN of connective tissue, scar tissue, bone rims, and retraction located along the passage underneath the inguinal ligament and distally.

POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Suture removal after 10-14 days, no sports for 2 weeks. Physiotherapy if necessary. Neurography 4 months after surgery (obligatory if symptoms are persistent). The patient should be followed up for about 24 months.

RESULTS

Of the patients, 69% had a history of trauma or surgery, which were designated as the onset of pain. Of these patients, 78% had hip prostheses and 22% had previous falls. Postoperatively, a significant reduction of pain of 6.6 points on the numeric rating scale was observed. All other evaluated parameters also improved postoperatively. Patient satisfaction was high, with 86% reporting complete satisfaction, and 14% reporting partial satisfaction.