Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of surgical decompression in
treatment of meralgia paresthetica. Patients and Methods: This study included 30 patients
(18 females, 12 males) within age range of 24-62 years presented with meralgia paresthetica
with mean duration of symptoms 29.3±5.4 months. All the patients were subjected to
conservative management for 6 months. 12 patients were not improved with conservative
treatment .9 patients (70%) underwent unilateral neurolysis of the lateral femoral cutaneous
nerve (LFCN), whereas 3 patients (25%) underwent bilateral neurolysis of the LFCN.
Surgical outcome was graded subjectively by each patient postoperatively based on 0-5 pain
intensity scale. Results: The mean follow-up period was 14 months; range: 6-24 months.
Surgical outcome was graded subjectively by each patient postoperatively based on 0-5 pain
intensity scale; 5 patients (41.7%) improved completely; 2 patients (16.7%) significant
improved; 1 patient (8.3%) temporary improved; 4 patients (33.3%) not improved, (Table 7).
For the 4 (33.3%) patients who did not improve after surgical decompression, re-exploration
with trans-section of the LFCN was done (1case bilateral, 3 unilateral) & pain improved
completely in all patients. Conclusion: It could be concluded that neurolysis of the LFCN is
an effective treatment for meralgia paresthetica in properly selected patients & trans-section
of the LFCN is indicated for patients who did not improved after surgical decompression.
Keywords: Neurolysis, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, meralgia paresthetica.