Laparoscopic treatment for meralgia paresthetica. Review of the literature

Introduction: Meralgia paresthetica is a syndrome of pain and dysesthesia in the anterolateral thigh caused by entrapment or lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury. We have no evidence yet of which must be the clinical management or the best form of treatment. The aim of this paper is to present a case and review of the literature. Methods: A personal case of complex and delayed diagnosis is presented. Search on meralgia paresthetica is done between 1970-2014 using PubMed, CINAHL, and Proquest databases. Results: Anatomical knowledge is essential to prevent nerve injury during surgery. The diagnosis can be very complex and requires a high index of suspicion and an adequate differential study of other musculoskeletal processes. Surgical treatment appears to be the most effective option but it is still controversial. Conclusion: Laparoscopic neurectomy is a safe, effective and permanent option to treat meralgia paresthetica refractory to other conservative treatments. (C) 2014 Sociedad Hispanoamericana de Hernia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U.