BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Meralgia paresthetica is a disesthetic and / or anesthetic syndrome in the distribution of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. It is a compressive or traumatic mononeuropathy, characterized by burning pain and / or discomfort in the anterolateral thigh, without motor or muscle strength changes, with preserved reflexes. It has been described after several surgical procedures, including laparoscopies. This study aimed at reporting a case of meralgia paresthetica after gynecological laparoscopy and its treatment, as well as at reviewing relevant literature. CASE REPORT: Female patient, 52 yeas old, submitted to laparoscopic miomectomy who presented in the immediate postoperative period anesthesia in left anterolateral thigh. Seven days later she reported paroxysmal and disesthetic pain and pain at touch in the same topography. She was medicated with analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs without improvement. After evaluation in the pain outpatient setting, clinical and electroneuromyographic diagnosis of meralgia paresthetica was established and treatment was started with gabapentin. There has been significant symptoms improvement so that 90 days later she presented just occasional paroxysmal pain. CONCLUSION: Meralgia paresthetica is a possible complication of laparoscopic miomectomy, the diagnosis of which is seldom considered. Conservative treatment with α2-δ calcium channel blocker anticonvulsants was effective for this patient.
Anticonvulsant; Neuropathy; Postoperative pain
