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DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-932505
Decompression of the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve in the Treatment of Meralgia Paresthetica
Publication History
Accepted: September 1, 2005
Publication Date:
03 February 2006 (online)
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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.
KEYWORDS
Neurolysis - lateral femoral cutaneous nerve - meralgia paresthetica
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Ivica DucicM.D. Ph.D.
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