Anatomical considerations of the sural nerve in the distal leg: Side branch patterns and significance in nerve harvesting procedures

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00064173%3A_____%2F24%3A43926839" target="_blank" >RIV/00064173:_____/24:43926839 - isvavai.cz</a>

Alternative codes found

RIV/00216208:11130/24:10478339 RIV/71226401:_____/24:N0101021

Result on the web

<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aanat.2024.152242" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aanat.2024.152242</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aanat.2024.152242" target="_blank" >10.1016/j.aanat.2024.152242</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Anatomical considerations of the sural nerve in the distal leg: Side branch patterns and significance in nerve harvesting procedures

Original language description

BACKGROUND: The sural nerve is a somatosensory nerve that provides sensation to the posterolateral aspect of the lower leg and the lateral part of the ankle and foot. Due to its location and anatomical properties, it is often used as an autologous nerve graft. However, the nerve harvest can be complicated by the presence of side branches. The objective of this study was to investigate the anatomy of the sural nerve and to map its side branches. This information can be used to predict the localization of separate incisions during the stair-step incisions technique for nerve harvest, thereby reducing the risk of complications. METHODS: The study involved the dissection of 50 adult cadaveric legs (25 left and 25 right) obtained from 27 Central European cadavers. The focus of the dissection was to identify the sural nerve, small saphenous vein, and surrounding anatomical structures. Detailed measurements were taken on the side branches of the sural nerve, tributaries of the small saphenous vein, and their interrelationship. RESULTS: The average number of sural nerve side branches in a single leg was 4.2+-1.9. These side branches were categorized into six groups based on their location and course: mediodistal, medioproximal, lateroproximal, laterodistal, medial perpendicular, and lateral perpendicular. Specific patterns of combination of these side branches were also identified and described. The branching point of the sural nerve was found to be 5.8+-2.7 cm proximal to the lateral malleolus, whereas the small saphenous vein branching point was located more distally, 4.5 +- 2.8 cm proximal to the lateral malleolus. The highest density of sural nerve side branches was found 2.1-6.0 cm above the lateral malleolus. CONCLUSION: This study presents valuable data about the relationship between the sural nerve and the surrounding anatomical structures in the distal part of the leg, including the identification of its side branches and their relevance during nerve harvest procedures. On the basis of the most frequent locations of side branches, a three-incision-technique for nerve harvest is proposed.

Czech name

—

Czech description

—

Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

30106 - Anatomy and morphology (plant science to be 1.6)

Project

—

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2024

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Annals of Anatomy

ISSN

0940-9602

e-ISSN

1618-0402

Volume of the periodical

254

Issue of the periodical within the volume

June

Country of publishing house

DE - GERMANY

Number of pages

12

Pages from-to

152242

UT code for WoS article

001209224300001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85187210319