Meralgia paraesthetica: Laparoscopic surgery as a cause then and a cure now

Abstract

Meralgia Paraesthetica (MP) is a rare condition, in which the patient experiences a burning sensation along the distribution of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, due to entrapment neuropathy at the lateral end of the inguinal ligament as it exits the pelvis. There are several causes of this condition including laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty. Diagnosed clinically, intervention is indicated for failed conservative measures. We herewith report a patient with MP and symptomatic cholelithiasis, treated for both laparoscopically. This is the third reported case in the literature that has been treated laparoscopically.

Meralgia paresthetica – Solving the diagnostic dilemma

“…[13] Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve can be injured during various orthopedic surgeries like Iliac crest bone grafting, pelvic fixation or osteotomy, hip arthroplasty or fracture reduction/fixation, spine surgery [21][22][23] or in nonorthopedic surgeries like laparoscopic surgeries, e.g., myomectomy, hernia repair, cholecystectomy, Cesarean delivery, bariatric surgery, etc. [24][25][26][27] The anatomical variability of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, excessive anterior pelvic tilt, contraction of the inguinal ligament, and shortening of the iliopsoas muscle, may all have contributed to the development of MP in the patient and it variable clinical presentations. [13]…”