Neurolysis for meralgia paresthetica: an operative series of 45 cases

Failure of symptom relief after neurolysis for meralgia paresthetica (MP) is reported frequently, yet systematic outcome analysis is limited in the modern literature. The present operative series of 45 cases aims to address this issue.

From 1996 to 2000, all patients who had neurolysis for MP by our senior author were enrolled in the study. Nerve entrapment was confirmed preoperatively by electrophysiological studies or a positive response to local anesthetic and steroid injection. Attention to the anatomical variability of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve was made during nerve exploration. Decompression of the nerve was performed at the level of the iliac fascia, the inguinal ligament, and the fascia of the thigh distally. The outcome of surgery was assessed 6 weeks after the procedure followed by 3 monthly intervals if symptoms persisted. Telephone interviews were conducted to assess long-term results.

Forty-five decompressive procedures were performed in 42 patients over the 5-year period. The average duration of symptoms was 31 (2.5-180) months. All patients were followed for an average of 4.1 years. Complete and partial symptom improvements were noted in 33 (73%) and 9 (20%) cases, respectively. No recurrence was reported. Analysis of clinical variables demonstrated that the duration of symptoms preoperatively did not affect the rate of complete symptom relief, but obese patients (body mass index > 30) was 6 times more likely to have (odds ratio 6.16, P = 0.04) incomplete relief after surgery at long-term follow-up.

High success rate was recorded in our series of 45 cases. Prolonged duration of symptoms did not preclude favorable outcome but obesity had a negative association with good outcome.