Inguinal neurectomy for nerve entrapment after open/laparoscopic hernia repair using retroperitoneal endoscopic approach.

BACKGROUND: Inguinal neuralgia after open and laparoscopic hernia, repair occurs in about 0.5% of treated patients. If the pain and the functional inability persist, it is possible that the genitofemoral nerve and ileoinguinal nerve are involved in entrapment, and surgical treatment is a possible option. This paper reports a personal endoscopic retroperitoneal approach for ileoinguinal and genitofemoral branches neurectomy.

METHODS: A 12-mm trocar is inserted into the lower retroperitoneum and insufflated to create a work space. Neurectomy is performed under endoscopic guidance.

RESULTS: Six patients were treated using this technique. The operating time was 55 min, and all patients were completely pain-free after surgery. All patients were discharged the first day after operation and there were no complications.

CONCLUSION: This retroperitoneal endoscopic approach is proposed as a new surgical technique for treating inguinal entrapment neuralgia. It is simple and feasible.