Absence of maladaptive neuronal plasticity after genitofemoral-ilioinguinal neurectomy.

BACKGROUND: Pain (neuralgia) and paresthesia in the inguinal region after lower abdominal surgery is rare. Historically, treatment consisted of neurolysis, local injections, and administration of various medications. The management of chronic pain syndromes is often coordinated by anesthesiologists. Neurolytic therapy is seldom recommended, on the basis of the theory of maladaptive neuronal plasticity.

METHODS: Twenty-three patients underwent genitofemoral neurectomy at our institution between 1981 and 1990. Records were reviewed to determine preoperative symptoms, evaluation, and treatment. Patients were contacted and questioned about current symptoms and disability.

RESULTS: All records were reviewed. Sixteen (70%) of the patients were located for long-term follow-up. Patients were symptomatic for an average of 3.3 years and underwent 3.1 operations before referral. Inguinal herniorrhaphy was the most common initial surgery (14 of 16 patients). All patients underwent multidisciplinary evaluation. Fifteen underwent L1-2 paraspinous nerve block, and 13 had total pain relief. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 36 to 144 months. Ten patients reported significant pain relief, and three patients reported slight improvement. Three of the six patients who had persistent neuralgia had significant orchialgia. None of the patients who had significant relief had preoperative testicular pain.

CONCLUSIONS: Genitofemoral neurectomy provided long-term relief in 62.5% of patients with genitofemoral neuralgia. Severe testicular pain indicated a less favorable outcome. These data do not support the maladaptive neuronal plasticity theory but do support early referral of some patients for neurectomy.