The femoral nerve in the repair of inguinal hernia: well worth remembering.

Injury to the nerves after inguinal hernia surgery is uncommon. The femoral nerve may be damaged by suture or staples, tissue scar entrapment, local anesthesia blockade or direct compression. We present a case of a transient lesion of the femoral nerve after mesh hernioplasty for a re-recurrent inguinal hernia, confirmed by radiological studies, electrophysiology and clinical recovery. The diagnosis, mechanism of injury and surgical approach are reviewed. Surgery to a recurrent hernia may be underestimated. The role of electromyography nerve conducting studies is emphasized insisting on the importance of clinical evolution for the successful management of these infrequent injuries.