Surgical options for meralgia paresthetica: long-term outcomes in 13 cases

Abstract

Background: Meralgia paresthetica is an entrapment neuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve that may cause paresthesias, pain, and sensory loss of the anterior and lateral thigh. Treatment is primarily medical. Surgery is an option for patients who do not respond to medical treatments. Methods: Patients whose symptoms did not improve after medical and conservative treatment for at least 3 months were included in this study. These patients underwent neurolysis and decompression surgery and had a mean postoperative follow-up of 38 months. Their pain levels were assessed by the VAS scoring system. Results: In 8 (61.5%) patients, the symptoms completely resolved within the first 3 months. In 5 (38.5%) patients, the complaints persisted partially and the recovery was observed after 12 months. In patients having a metabolic etiology, the duration of recovery was up to 12 months. Conclusion: The long term results of surgery are good though only partial improvemnts in reported pain were seen in the early postoperative period, especially in patients with a metabolic etiology.