Table of contents
- Latest Ilioinguinal Nerve Block Lawsuit Updates
- October 17, 2024: Randomized Trial Published on Hernia Repair Nerve Block
- What Is an Ilioinguinal Nerve Block?
- Who May Be Affected?
- Reported Injuries or Damages
- Evidence to Preserve
- Filing Deadlines
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I File an Ilioinguinal Nerve Block Lawsuit?
- How Do I Get My Nerve Block Records?
- What Does the Research Say About Chronic Pain After Hernia Repair and Nerve Blocks?
- How Do I Know If My Pain Is Related to a Nerve Block?
Some patients report lasting groin or pelvic pain, numbness or nerve injury after an ilioinguinal nerve block. The block numbs the groin and lower abdomen after surgery such as hernia repair.
Doctors use the block for acute and chronic pain. The people most affected are patients whose pain, numbness or neuralgia lasts after a block given with inguinal hernia repair or cesarean section.
No lawsuit, class action, MDL or recall names the ilioinguinal nerve block. A claim over these injuries would be an individual one, alleging nerve injury. Documented complications include nerve injury, hematoma and bowel perforation.
Latest Ilioinguinal Nerve Block Lawsuit Updates
October 17, 2024: Randomized Trial Published on Hernia Repair Nerve Block
Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery published a randomized trial of 40 older adults having open inguinal hernia repair [1]. It found that a single-puncture block of three nerves significantly reduced postoperative complications compared with a two-nerve block.
What Is an Ilioinguinal Nerve Block?
According to NRAP Academy, an ilioinguinal nerve block is an ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia and interventional pain procedure. It treats groin and lower abdominal pain, pain after cesarean section or hernia repair, and neuralgia [2].
A 2022 cohort study calls the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerve blocks two of the most often used blocks after hernia repair [3]. The October 2024 study calls a single-puncture version a feasible clinical approach.
Who May Be Affected?
The block is often given for inguinal hernia repair, cesarean section or other lower abdominal surgery. Lasting groin or lower abdominal pain, numbness or neuralgia afterward is the circumstance to match.
The 2022 study defines chronic postoperative pain as neuropathic pain lasting at least 3 months after surgery, even after the surgical site heals.
Whether you have a claim depends on a legal review of your own medical records and the facts of your care.
Reported Injuries or Damages
NRAP Academy lists these documented complications of the block: vascular injection, nerve injury, bowel perforation, hematoma and femoral nerve block. These are medical complications. They carry no court findings.
Chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair is described as limiting daily activities, causing depression and anxiety and increasing painkiller use.
In a 2022 Journal of Surgery and Medicine study, Onur and colleagues reported that chronic pain after surgery varies from 6-54% across studies. They also reported that 5-10% of patients have pain that makes daily tasks hard.
The authors say ilioinguinal nerve entrapment or trauma could be the leading reasons for chronic pain after an inguinal hernia operation.
In their 60 patients, those who also got an ilioinguinal block had lower pain scores at the 3rd and 6th months.
Evidence to Preserve
Keep records that show what was done and when your symptoms began. Useful items include:
- Medical records of the block and any surgery
- Consent forms
- The date and place of the procedure
- Records of when pain or numbness began
- Photographs or notes of your symptoms
- Pain diaries
- Prescriptions and receipts
- Communications with the provider
- Records of time missed from work
Store paper and digital copies of each item in one place. Add to them as new symptoms or treatment appear.
Filing Deadlines
State law sets the deadline for filing an injury claim. Your deadline depends on where you live and on when the injury happened and was diagnosed.
Even strong facts cannot save a claim filed too late. Check with a lawyer promptly to protect your options while you gather your records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I File an Ilioinguinal Nerve Block Lawsuit?
Whether you can file an ilioinguinal nerve block lawsuit depends on your records, your symptoms and the care you received. Each claim is judged on the date of the procedure and on when the pain began.
How Do I Get My Nerve Block Records?
To get your nerve block records, ask the hospital or clinic that gave the block for copies of the procedure and follow-up notes. Request them in writing and keep a note of the date you asked.
What Does the Research Say About Chronic Pain After Hernia Repair and Nerve Blocks?
Research on nerve blocks and hernia repair pain includes an October 2024 randomized trial. It measured pain in the recovery unit, not chronic pain, and scored 0.9 with the three-nerve block against 2.1 with the two-nerve block.
How Do I Know If My Pain Is Related to a Nerve Block?
Only your doctors can tell whether your pain is related to a nerve block. Share with them when the pain began, where you feel it and what it feels like.