The surgical anatomy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve in the inguinal region: a meta-analysis.
Several variations in the anatomy and injury of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) have been studied since 1885. The aim of our study was to analyze the available data on the LFCN and find a true prevalence to help in the planning and execution of surgical procedures in the area of the pelvis, namely inguinal hernia repair.



A search of the major medical databases was performed for LFCN anatomy. The anatomical data were collected and analyzed.



Twenty-four studies (n = 1,720) were included. The most common pattern of the LFCN exiting the pelvis was medial to the Sartorius as a single branch. When it exited in this pattern, it did so on average 1.90 cm medial to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS).



The LFCN and its variations are important to consider especially during inguinal hernia repair, abdominoplasty, and iliac bone grafting. We suggest maintaining a distance of 3 cm or more from the ASIS when operating to prevent injury to the LFCN.
International Evidence-Based Anatomy Working Group, Krakow, Poland. krtomaszewski@gmail.com.|Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 12 Kopernika St, 31-034, Krakow, Poland. krtomaszewski@gmail.com.
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KA
Tomaszewski
International Evidence-Based Anatomy Working Group, Krakow, Poland.|Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 12 Kopernika St, 31-034, Krakow, Poland.
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P
Popieluszko
International Evidence-Based Anatomy Working Group, Krakow, Poland.|Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 12 Kopernika St, 31-034, Krakow, Poland.
B M
BM
Henry
International Evidence-Based Anatomy Working Group, Krakow, Poland.|Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 12 Kopernika St, 31-034, Krakow, Poland.
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J
Roy
Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy.
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B
Sanna
Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 12 Kopernika St, 31-034, Krakow, Poland.
M R
MR
Kijek
International Evidence-Based Anatomy Working Group, Krakow, Poland.|Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 12 Kopernika St, 31-034, Krakow, Poland.
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JA
Walocha
D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D020428:Femoral Neuropathy; D006119:Groin / Q000294:innervation*; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000601:surgery; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000294:innervation; D013848:Thigh / Q000294:innervation
Anatomy; Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve; Meta-analysis; Variations