Combined Decompression of Pudendal and Inferior Cluneal Nerves for Entrapment Neuralgias Using Transperitoneal Robotic Laparoscopy: Feasibility and Our 4 Step Technique

Olivier Celhay; Horace Roman; Gilles Pasticier; Estelle Calvarin; Christophe Gomez; Jocelyn Susperregui; Corinne Palamara; Clément Michiels

doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2024.03.009

Combined Decompression of Pudendal and Inferior Cluneal Nerves for Entrapment Neuralgias Using Transperitoneal Robotic Laparoscopy: Feasibility and Our 4 Step Technique

J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2024 Mar 26:S1553-4650(24)00152-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jmig.2024.03.009. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Olivier Celhay¹, Horace Roman², Gilles Pasticier³, Estelle Calvarin⁴, Christophe Gomez⁵, Jocelyn Susperregui³, Corinne Palamara³, Clément Michiels³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Urology and Robotic Surgery, Clinique Tivoli-Ducos (Drs. Celhay, Pasticier, Susperregui, Palamara, and Michiels), Bordeaux, France. Electronic address: celhay.ubsg33@gmail.com.
² IFEMEndo, Clinique Tivoli-Ducos (Dr. Roman), Bordeaux, France.
³ Department of Urology and Robotic Surgery, Clinique Tivoli-Ducos (Drs. Celhay, Pasticier, Susperregui, Palamara, and Michiels), Bordeaux, France.
⁴ Physiotherapy Center of Parc Rivière (Calvarin), Bordeaux, France.
⁵ IMAGIR Radiology Center (Dr. Gomez), Bordeaux, France.

PMID: 38527704
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2024.03.009

Abstract

Objective: To demonstrate the feasibility of a combined decompression of pudendal and inferior cluneal nerves for entrapment syndrome using a transperitoneal robotic laparoscopy.

Design: Demonstration of our 4-step technique with narrated video footage.

Setting: Pudendal and inferior cluneal neuralgias caused by an entrapment syndrome are both responsible for perineal pain [1]. Although more precise data are lacking, these 2 neuralgias are frequently associated. Failure of surgical pudendal nerve decompression in the early 2000 has driven to discover the entity of a potential entrapment syndrome of the posterior cutaneous nerve of the tight and its inferior cluneal branches between the ischium bone and the sacrotuberous ligament [2]. The corresponding neuralgia is responsible for a neuropathic pain to a more posterior part of the perineum and the thigh, without any neurovegetative symptom. In case of failure of medical treatment, surgery can be proposed using an invasive open transgluteal approach as a standard treatment [3-5].

Interventions: Transperitoneal robotic laparoscopy for a mini-invasive releasing of both pudendal and inferior cluneal nerves, following a 4-step technique: 1. Opening of the peritoneum between the external iliac vessels and the umbilical ligament 2. Dissection of the internal iliac and pudendal arteries up to the pudendal nerve 3. Section of the sacrospinous ligament and release of the pudendal nerve 4. Section of the sacrotuberous ligament and release of the inferior cluneal nerve CONCLUSION: Previously, pudendal and inferior cluneal neuralgias have been managed with an invasive open transgluteal surgery. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of a mini-invasive transperitoneal robotic laparoscopy, with a standardized 4-step surgical technique. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

Keywords: Cluneal; Entrapment; Laparoscopy; Neuralgia; Posterior Femoral cutaneous; Pudendal; Robot.