Question

A 45-year-old male underwent bilateral laparoscopic hernia repair for inguinal hernia.Postoperatively, he complained of pain in the right thigh. Which of the following nerve entrapment leads to this symptom?

• A. Ilioinguinal nerve
• B. Iliohypogastric nerve
• C. Femoral nerve
• D. Lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The presented case involves a 45-year-old male who experienced pain in the right thigh following bilateral laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. This symptom is indicative of nerve entrapment. Postoperative complications, such as nerve entrapment, can occur due to surgical positioning, handling, or anatomical proximity during laparoscopic procedures.

In this scenario, the symptomatology aligns with the entrapment of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, also known as the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. This nerve exits the pelvis near the anterior superior iliac spine and can be compressed or irritated during surgical procedures involving the inguinal region.

The options for potential nerve entrapment causing thigh pain post-hernia repair were:

1. Ilioinguinal nerve
2. Iliohypogastric nerve
3. Femoral nerve
4. Lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh

The lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh is responsible for supplying sensation to the lateral aspect of the thigh. Entrapment or compression of this nerve can result in pain termed meralgia paresthetica, typically described as tingling, numbness, or burning pain on the outer part of the thigh, which corresponds to the postoperative symptom experienced by the patient.

Consequently, the correct answer is the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, leading to the postoperative thigh pain observed in the setting of this specific surgical intervention.