Which nerves are most commonly injured during inguinal hernia repair?

The ilioinguinal and genitofemoral nerves are the nerves most commonly injured during inguinal hernia repair due to their anatomical proximity to the surgical field. During the procedure, particularly when the surgeon dissects tissues to access the inguinal canal, these nerves can be inadvertently caught or cut.

The ilioinguinal nerve provides sensation to the skin of the upper medial thigh and the root of the penis or the mons pubis in females, while the genitofemoral nerve supplies sensation to a small area of the upper anterior thigh and the scrotum in males or labia in females. Injury to these nerves can lead to postoperative complications such as chronic pain or sensory loss in these areas, which can significantly impact a patient's quality of life.

In contrast, the other options involve nerves that are not in the vicinity of the inguinal region or involved in the hernia repair process. The sciatic and femoral nerves, for example, are located further down in the thigh, while the ulnar, median, radial, and musculocutaneous nerves are primarily associated with the upper extremity and not relevant to inguinal surgery.