Ilioinguinal Nerve Neurectomy versus Preservation in Lichtenstein Hernia Repair: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt

10.21608/asjs.2024.368119

Abstract

Introduction: Hernias may be defined as “an abnormal protrusion of an organ or tissue through a defect in its
surrounding walls.”
Aim of work: To evaluate the incidence of chronic groin pain and sensational alterations after Lichtenstein
inguinal hernia repair, comparing neurectomy with ilioinguinal nerve preservation surgery.
Patients and methods: This systematic review included studies after 2010. A total of 1441 relevant studies were
obtained from the initial search. After screening of the titles and abstracts according to the inclusion and exclusion
criteria, the full text was further read, and ultimately, 10 studies were included.
Result: The study found that neurectomy patients experienced significantly lower postoperative pain compared
to preservation patients, with a pooled risk ratio of nearly four times lower. The neurectomy group required
lower analgesia compared to the preservation group, with a significant decrease observed at the seventh day
postoperative. Neuroctomy patients experienced significantly lower analgesia duration compared to preservation
patients. The preservation group experienced higher but not statistically significant numbness compared to the
neurectomy group, with no significant difference observed at the first day postoperative. The preservation group
experienced higher hypothesia compared to the neurectomy group, with a significant increase at the first day
postoperative.
Conclusion: The neurectomy of the ilioinguinal nerve during Lichtenstein hernia repair significantly reduced
postoperative pain, analgesia requirement, and groin numbness and hypoesthesia, especially on the first day postsurgery.
However, the results were not significant due to the small number of cases. It is now recommended that
surgeons discuss the uncertain benefits and potential risks of neurectomy with patients and their families before
performing hernioplasty.

Keywords

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics