Surgical Results of Meralgia Paresthetica

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Meralgia Paresthetica is an entrapment neuropathy involving the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. The aim of the present study is to evalute results of two surgical procedures(neurolysis and transection) for this disease. METHODS: The authors reviewed the 11 patients who underwent surgery in our hospital for meralgia paresthetica for last 15 years. Preoperatively all patients were treated by conservative management which was failed. Visual analogue scale(VAS) sore was used for pre-and post-operative assessments of the pain. Operation is performed by infrainguinal ligament approach. Nine patients underwent neurolysis, and two patients underwent transection of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. The average follow-up period was 14.3 months. RESULTS: In 10 cases good relief of symptom was obtained, but in one case relief of symptom was not. Superior result of transection as a treatment for meralgia paresthetica was obtained. But, there was no statistically significant difference between two procedures because of small group. CONCLUSION: When surgery is indicated for patients in whom pain is severe and persistent despite adequate conserative management, it appears to offer good results.