J Reconstr Microsurg 2006; 22(2): 113-118
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-932505
Copyright © 2006 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Decompression of the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve in the Treatment of Meralgia Paresthetica

Ivica Ducic1 , A. Lee Dellon2 , 3 , Nathan S. Taylor1
  • 1Department of Plastic Surgery, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C.
  • 2Institute for Peripheral Nerve Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
  • 3Division of Plastic Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

Accepted: September 1, 2005

Publikationsdatum:
03. Februar 2006 (online)

ABSTRACT

Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a painful mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). Neurolysis is reserved for patients with MP who respond poorly to medical management. This study retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of 41 patients who underwent either unilateral or bilateral neurolysis of the LFCN for a total of 48 procedures. Twenty-nine procedures involved neurolysis of the LFCN alone and 19 procedures involved neurolysis of the LFCN and resection of one or more additional nerves (ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, genitofemoral). Overall, surgical outcome was considered by patients to be successful in 77 percent of cases. LFCN neurolysis alone had better results, compared to combined LFCN neurolysis and nerve resection. The conclusion is that neurolysis of the LFCN is an effective treatment for MP in properly selected patients.

REFERENCES

  • 1 Williams P H, Trizil K P. Management of meralgia paresthetica.  J Neurosurg. 1991;  74 76-80
  • 2 Aszmann O C, Dellon E S, Dellon A L. Anatomical course of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and its susceptibility to compression and injury.  Plast Reconstr Surg. 1997;  100 600-604
  • 3 Nahabedian M Y, Dellon A L. Meralgia paresthetica: etiology, diagnosis, and outcome of surgical decompression.  Ann Plast Surg. 1995;  35 590-594
  • 4 Lee C H, Dellon A L. Surgical management of groin pain of neural origin.  J Am Coll Surg. 2000;  191 137-142
  • 5 Coert J H, Dellon A L. Documenting neuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve using the Pressure-Specified Sensory Testing device.  Ann Plast Surg. 2003;  50 373-377
  • 6 van Eerten P V, Polder T W, Broere C A. Operative treatment of meralgia paresthetica: transection versus neurolysis.  Neurosurgery. 1995;  37 63-65
  • 7 Rab M, Ebmer J, Dellon A L. Anatomic variability of the ilioinguinal and genitofemoral nerve: implications for the treatment of groin pain.  Plast Reconstr Surg. 2001;  108 1618-1623

Ivica DucicM.D. Ph.D. 

3800 Reservoir Road, N.W., PHC Building, First Floor, Washington, D.C. 20007