Core outcomes in nerve surgery: development of a core outcome set for lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy - PubMed (original) (raw)

. 2026 Jan 9;144(5):1224-1232.

doi: 10.3171/2025.8.JNS251142. Print 2026 May 1.

Zarina S Ali 2, Gavin A Davis 3, Nora F Dengler 4, Ketan Desai 5, Debora Garozzo 6, Fernando Guedes 7, Christian P G Heinen 8, Jennifer Hong 9, Line G Jacques 10, Ekkapot Jitpun 11, Thomas Kretschmer 12, Mark A Mahan 13, Rajiv Midha 14, Willem Pondaag 15, Ross C Puffer 16, Lukas Rasulic 17, Wilson Z Ray 18, Elias Rizk 19, Carlos A Rodriguez-Aceves 20, Yamaan S Saadeh 21, Yuval Shapira 22, Mariano Socolovsky 23, Robert J Spinner 24, Eric L Zager 2

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Core outcomes in nerve surgery: development of a core outcome set for lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy

Thomas J Wilson et al. J Neurosurg. 2026.

Abstract

Objective: Core outcome sets (COSs) are needed to promote data consistency across studies as well as data synthesis and comparability. The aim of the current study was to use a modified Delphi process to develop a COS for lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy (LFCN), hereafter COS-LFCN.

Methods: A 5-stage approach was used to develop the COS-LFCN: 1) consortium development, 2) literature review to identify potential outcome measures, 3) Delphi survey to develop consensus on outcomes for inclusion, 4) Delphi survey to develop definitions, and 5) consensus meeting to finalize the COS and definitions. This study followed the Core Outcome Set - STAndards for Development, (COS-STAD) recommendations.

Results: The Core Outcomes in Nerve Surgery (COINS) Consortium comprised 25 participants, all neurological surgeons, representing 14 countries. The final COS-LFCN consisted of 41 factors and outcomes covering domains of demographics, diagnostics, patient-reported outcomes, motor/sensory outcomes, and complications. Appropriate instruments, methods of testing, and definitions were set. The consensus minimum duration of follow-up was 12 months, with the consensus optimal time points for assessment being preoperatively and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

Conclusions: The COINS Consortium developed a consensus COS for LFCN and provided definitions, methods of implementation, and time points for assessment. The COS-LFCN should serve as the minimum data to be collected in all future neurosurgical studies on LFCN. Incorporation of this COS will help improve consistency in reporting, data synthesis and comparability, and minimize outcome reporting bias.

Keywords: core outcome set; lateral femoral cutaneous nerve; lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy; lower extremity; meralgia paresthetica; peripheral nerve.

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