Two weeks after an open right inguinal hernia repair, a patient reports numbness over the anterior scrotum and the medial aspect of the thigh near the scar. Which nerve was most likely injured?

• A Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve
• B Pudendal nerve
• C Lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh
• D Ilioinguinal nerve ✓

Explanation

The ilioinguinal nerve runs in the inguinal canal on the surface of the spermatic cord beneath the external oblique aponeurosis and supplies the skin of the upper medial thigh and the anterior scrotum or labium majus, so it is the nerve most at risk during open anterior repairs and mesh fixation. The genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve supplies the cremaster and posterior scrotal skin. The lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh is unrelated to the canal.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.