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Meralgia paraesthetica following open appendicectomy

D Kavanagh1, S Connolly, F Fleming

  • 1Department of Surgery, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park & University College Dublin. dara_kav@hotmail.com

Irish Medical Journal
|August 16, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Meralgia paresthetica, a nerve entrapment causing pain, can occur after open appendectomy. This under-recognized complication involves the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and presents unique management challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Surgical Complications

Background:

  • Meralgia paresthetica involves lateral femoral cutaneous nerve entrapment, causing pain and altered sensation.
  • It's linked to surgeries causing direct nerve injury or occurring remotely.

Observation:

  • Two cases of meralgia paresthetica emerged immediately after open appendectomy.
  • Anatomical variants of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, present in up to 25% of individuals, may predispose to injury during appendectomy.

Findings:

  • This study reports meralgia paresthetica as a previously undocumented complication of open appendectomy.
  • Clinical presentation was confirmed by electromyography (EMG) studies.

Implications:

  • Highlights an under-recognized risk following open appendectomy.
  • Suggests increased clinical awareness for this nerve entrapment syndrome.
  • Emphasizes the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for clinicians and patients.

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