Obturator nerve injury in laparoscopic inguinal hernia mesh repair

Abstract

Injury to pelvic nerves during laparoscopy mostly occurs in gynecological and urological procedures. In abdominal surgery, these complications are infrequent. We present a case report of a patient who suffered a rare obturator nerve injury during a laparoscopic hernioplasty caused by clipping the nerve to the edge of the mesh. After revision and release of nerve from the clip and scars tissue, the associated pain rapidly disappeared and thigh adduction strength improved. Now, 4 years later, MRI and EMG show no sign of nerve compression.