The relative contributions of the medial sural and peroneal communicating nerves to the sural nerve

The medial sural cutaneous nerve (MSCN) and peroneal communicating nerve (PCN) conjoin in the calf area to form the sural nerve (SN). In previous anatomic studies, there was unresolved debate as to the main contributor to the sural nerve, and the relative contributions of MSCN and PCN had not been studied. The purpose of this study is to determine their relative neurophysiologic contributions to the SN by nerve conduction study (NCS). A total of 47 healthy subjects (25 males and 22 females, mean age 29.6 +/- 10.4 yrs, range 20-59 yrs) participated in the study. This study employed the orthodromic nerve conduction technique: stimulation at the ankle and recording at the mid calf (SN); specifically, we preformed stimulation at the mid calf (MSCN, PCN) and recording at 14 cm proximal to the middle of the popliteal fossa (MSCN) and fibular head (PCN). The onset and peak latencies (ms) were SN 2.3 +/- 0.2 and 3.0 +/- 0.2; MSCN 2.1 +/- 0.2 and 2.8 +/- 0.2; and PCN 2.1 +/- 0.2 and 2.8 +/- 0.2. The peak-to-peak amplitudes (microV) and areas (nVsec) of the SN, MSCN, and PCN were 9.7 +/- 3.9, 7.0 +/- 4.7, and 5.0 +/- 3.2; and 7.2 +/- 2.9, 5.7 +/- 3.4, and 4.0 +/- 2.4, respectively. The side-to-side difference was not statistically significant. The main contributor to the SN was found to be the MSCN. The relative contribution ratio of the MSCN to the PCN was 1.37:1 by amplitude and 1.42:1 by area. However, in 32.9% of the subjects, the contribution of the PCN was greater than that of the MSCN.     

Variations in sural nerve formation pattern and distribution on the dorsum of the foot

The sural nerve, a cutaneous nerve, is clinically important because it is frequently for nerve conduction testing, biopsy, and harvesting for nerve grafts. This nerve exhibits a wide variety of variation in formation, distribution on the dorsum of the foot, and so on, depending on the population observed. In this study, we examined the variation in the sural nerve in 110 Korean cadavers. Of these cadavers, 86.1% of the sural nerves corresponded to type A, where tibial and peroneal components were united to form the sural nerve. These two components most frequently united (65.9%) in the third quarter of the calf, and when the union position was expressed as a ratio to calf length, it corresponded to 0.408 in men and 0.346 in women, with a statistically significant difference. Due to this sexual dimorphism in addition to shorter calf length in females, the length of the sural nerve was shorter in females (male average length: 14.5 ± 4.8 cm; female average length: 11.4 ± 2.9 cm). In terms of distribution of the lateral dorsal cutaneous nerve, the distal continuation of the sural nerve on the dorsum of the foot, it showed variation in association with the superficial peroneal nerve. The innervation of the sural nerve extended most frequently up to the lateral two and a half toes, solely or in conjunction with the superficial peroneal nerve. Obtaining further information regarding sural nerve variation will be useful for various clinical procedures and interpretation of sural nerve conduction results. Clin. Anat. 30:525–532, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

腓肠神经-小隐静脉营养血管远端蒂复合瓣的解剖学研究

目的:为腓肠神经-小隐静脉营养血管远端蒂复合瓣设计提出解剖学依据.方法:30侧经动脉灌注红色乳胶成人下肢标本,解剖观测腓动脉肌间隔穿支、腓肠外侧动脉肌皮穿支与腓肠神经-小隐静脉、腓肠肌外侧头、比目鱼肌以及腓骨营养血管的关系;小隐静脉浅深交通支.结果:腓动脉肌间隔穿支6～10支,外径0.5～1.6 mm,最远的动脉穿支距外踝尖上(1.0±1.3)cm,外径(0.6±0.2)mm.穿支分出骨膜动脉、肌支,营养腓骨和比目鱼肌外侧半.穿支穿深筋膜时,发深筋膜支、皮支、皮神经浅静脉血管,构成腓肠神经-小隐静脉营养血管链.腓肠外侧动脉发2～5支外径0.2～1.2 mm肌皮穿支,营养腓肠肌外侧头及相应区域皮肤.小隐静脉浅深交通支距外踝尖上(3.4±0.9)cm,外径(1.7±0.5)mm.结论:腓肠神经-小隐静脉营养血管与肌、骨、皮营养血管同源,以腓动脉的肌间隔动脉终末穿支远端蒂复合瓣,旋转点近外踝尖平面,可覆盖前足创面.     

腓肠外侧皮神经营养血管岛状筋膜皮瓣的解剖学基础

目的 :为腓肠外侧皮神经营养血管岛状筋膜皮瓣提供解剖学依据。方法 :采用巨微解剖、全身动脉放射显影及电脑图像分析技术 ,解剖观察了腓肠外侧皮神经及其营养血管的起始、走行、分支与分布情况。结果 :腓肠外侧皮神经于腓骨头上方 ( 7.1± 1.3 )cm ,中线外侧 ( 1.8± 0 .6)cm起自腓总神经 ,分支分布于小腿后外侧上 2 /3部 ,末端与腓肠内侧皮神经相吻合。其营养动脉主要为窝外侧皮动脉 ,于腓骨头水平面上方 ( 4 .6± 2 .3 )cm处发自动脉 ,并于腓骨头上 ( 4 .6± 1.2 )cm ,中线外侧 ( 2 .1± 0 .5 )cm处开始伴行腓肠外侧皮神经下降 ,下端主要与腓动脉穿支吻合 ,形成一营养血管链。结论 :以腓肠外侧皮神经及其营养血管链为蒂可以设计近端或远端蒂岛状筋膜皮瓣。     

腓肠外侧皮神经痛诊治的解剖学基础(系列介绍之十六)

目的 介绍腓肠外侧皮神经痛的诊断与局部注射的治疗方法。方法 选择门诊确诊为腓肠外侧皮神经痛的患者11例，采用强的松龙混悬液加麻药局部注射神经通过胭窝的外下部穿出阔筋膜的局部治疗方法。结果 所有病例皆在注射后短时完全止痛，经1～3次注射后痊愈。结论 对诊断明确的病例，采取强的松龙局部注射法，可以获得满意的疗效。     

带腓肠外侧皮神经及其营养血管筋膜皮瓣的应用解剖

目的 为带腓肠外侧皮神经及其营养血管筋膜皮瓣的临床应用提供解剖学基础.方法 在32例成人下肢标本上,对腓肠外侧皮神经及其营养血管进行解剖观测.结果 腓肠外侧皮神经在腓骨头平面上方 7.1±2.4cm处起于腓总神经,分布于小腿后外侧上半或上2/3的皮肤.其营养动脉主要为:腓肠外侧皮动脉:起自腘动脉,在腓骨头平面上方5.0±1.5cm处浅出,外径为0.9±0.3mm;肌间隔筋膜皮支:起自胫后动脉和腓动脉,分别在腓骨头平面下方9.2±3.8cm和15.8±3.8cm处浅出,外径为0.7±0.3mm和0.9±0.4mm.该营养动脉除在腓肠外侧皮神经周围或其内呈链式吻合外,还发出筋膜皮支与邻位的皮动脉连接.静脉血可沿伴行静脉或小隐静脉及其属支回流至深静脉.结论 以腓肠外侧皮神经及其营养血管为蒂,可设计成顺行或逆行转位筋膜皮瓣,修复邻近部位的软组织缺损.     

Anatomic study of the superficial sural artery and its implication in the neurocutaneous vascularized sural nerve free flap

Combined extended nerve and soft tissue defects of the upper extremity require nerve reconstruction and adequate soft tissue coverage. This study focuses on the reliability of the free vascularized sural nerve graft combined with a fasciocutaneous posterior calf flap within this indication. An anatomical study was performed on 26 cadaveric lower extremities that had been Thiel fixated and color silicone injected. Dissection of the fasciocutaneous posterior calf flap involved the medial sural nerve and superficial sural artery (SSA) with its septocutaneous perforators, extended laterally to include the lateral cutaneous branch of the sural nerve and continued to the popliteal origin of the vascular pedicle and the nerves. The vessel and nerves diameter were measured with an eyepiece reticle at 4.5× magnification. Length and diameter of the nerves and vessels were carefully assessed and reported in the dissection book. A total of 26 flaps were dissected. The SSA originated from the medial sural artery (13 cases), the popliteal artery (12 cases), or the lateral sural artery (one case). The average size of the SSA was 1.4 ± 0.4 mm. The mean pedicle length before the artery joined the sural nerve was 4.5 ± 1.9 cm. A comitant vein was present in 21 cases with an average diameter of 2.0 ± 0.8 mm, in 5 cases a separate vein needed to be dissected with an average diameter of 3.5 ± 0.4 mm. The mean medial vascularized sural nerve length was 21.2 ± 8.9 cm. Because of inclusion of the vascularized part of the lateral branch of the sural nerve (mean length of 16.7 ± 4.8 cm), a total of 35.0 ± 9.6 cm mean length of vascularized nerve could be gained from each extremity. The free vascularized sural nerve graft combined with a fasciocutaneous posterior calf flap pedicled on the SSA offers a reliable solution for complex tissue and nerve defect. Clin. Anat. 26:903–910, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

腓肠神经及其两根的应用解剖学观测

目的观测人腓肠神经的构成类型,长、宽以及构成腓肠神经的两根的位置、长度、宽度,以补充国人腓肠神经的解剖学资料为临床腓肠神经的移植提供依据。方法利用直尺及游标卡尺（精确度0．02mm）对腓肠神经,腓肠内、外侧皮神经的长、宽进行测量,对腓肠内、外侧皮神经位置及腓肠神经的组成型式进行观测统计。结果腓肠神经的构成型式较前人的观察更为复杂,因此本文采用了新的分型方法。腓肠内、外侧皮神经的发出位置多变,腓肠神经起始部、中点及外踝平面宽度不同。结论腓肠神经及其两根型式复杂,临床选择移植体时应充分考虑其型式及长度、宽度,以便更加适应受区特征。     

腓肠神经-小隐静脉营养血管远端蒂皮瓣临床应用的改进

目的:报道腓肠神经-小隐静脉营养血管远端蒂皮瓣临床应用的改进的效果.方法:在腓肠神经-小隐静脉营血管解剖学研究的基础上,采用远端蒂皮瓣旋转点降至外踝尖上2cm,术中结扎远端蒂小隐静脉以及复合瓣设计,临床应用15例.伤因及伤情:车祸伤6例,砸伤6例,机器绞伤3例.创面有骨与肌腱外露或在足跟负重区,其中足背创面5例,足跟创面3例,前足背4例,胫前创面2例,小腿远段创面伴胫骨缺损1例.皮瓣修复方式:低旋转点远端蒂皮瓣13例,远端蒂腓骨皮瓣1例,远端蒂腓肠肌皮瓣1例.结果:临床15例皮瓣全部一期成活,2例皮瓣边缘皮肤坏死,最大占皮瓣总面积的1/10,脱痂后自行愈合.经1月至8月的随访,皮瓣质地良好,厚薄均匀,颜色一致,供区无功能障碍.结论:腓肠神经-小隐静脉营养血管与邻近肌、骨、皮营养血管同源,临床对严重的外伤造成的骨不连、骨缺损和大的死腔,采用腓肠神经-小隐静脉营养血管远端蒂复合瓣修复是理想的选择.     

An unusual innervation of pectoralis minor and major muscles from a branch of the intercostobrachial nerve

Variations of the branching pattern of the intercostobrachial nerve have been known to complicate dissection during mastectomy and other procedures involving the axilla. We present a unilateral case of a 73-year-old Caucasian female, in which the intercostobrachial nerve gives rise to an additional medial pectoral branch, which partially innervates the pectoralis minor muscle, as well as the abdominal head of pectoralis major muscle. Clinical consequences of such a variation may include motor losses, in addition to the commonly reported sensory losses, resulting from accidental or intentional dissection of the intercostobranchial nerve.     

带蒂腓肠神经小隐静脉营养血管皮瓣的解剖与临床应用

目的:报道带蒂腓肠神经小隐静脉营养血管皮瓣修复小腿远端、踝足部软缺损的效果。方法:对18例小腿或足部不同部位软组织缺损,采用带腓肠神经血管蒂皮瓣逆行转移修复。皮瓣面积最大为13cm×5cm,最小为3cm×3cm。结果:17例全部成活,其中2例部分坏死,l例失败,随访效果满意。结论:此皮瓣是修复小腿远端、踝及足部软组织缺损的理想供区,具有切取方便,位置恒定,血供可靠。     

Microscopic anatomy of the sural nerve in the postnatal developing rat: a longitudinal and lateral symmetry study

Rat sural nerve is widely used in experimental studies investigating injury and regeneration of the peripheral nervous system. However, it has not yet been established whether morphological and morphometric parameters differ within corresponding levels of the rat sural nerve. The aims of the present study were to investigate the normal morphological and morphometric aspects of the sural nerve in postnatal developing female rats, with special attention to longitudinal morphology and lateral symmetry. Rats aged 30, 90 and 180 days were killed, and proximal and distal segments of the right and left sural nerves were prepared for light microscopy and morphometric study. No differences were found between the proximal and distal segments or between the right and left sides at the same levels. In addition, postnatal growth continuously and symmetrically affected the sural nerve fascicles and myelinated fibres. Fibre population distribution was also affected by increasing body weight; distribution was unimodal at 30 days, and by 180 days this distribution was established as bimodal. We concluded that the sural nerve is long and constant in its morphology and presents a continuous and symmetrical growth, more pronounced between 30 and 90 days of age, thus providing a good model for experimental neuropathies.     

Pseudoganglion on the connecting branch between the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve and medial plantar nerve

The connecting branch between the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve and medial plantar nerve often has an enlarged site. We investigated these enlarged sites of the connecting branches. We observed the 22 human feet of 20 Japanese cadavers. We investigated the connecting branch macroscopically and histologically. We found the connecting branches between the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve and medial plantar nerve in 19 feet out of 22 feet. This connecting nerve branch was interposed between the tendon of the flexor hallucis longus and the flexor hallucis brevis, and there enlarged in the anteroposterior direction. After penetration, numbers of fascicles of this connecting branch were increased at the enlarged site. In this region, the connective tissues surrounding the nerve fascicles and vessels were more developed compared with the adjoining sides of this branch. A few fascicles at this enlarged site innervated the first metatarsophalangeal joint capsule. Other nerve fascicles arose from the connecting branch and branched off muscular branches to the flexor hallucis brevis. This branch possibly receives the physical exertion or friction during gait due to its position. Deformity and overload of the foot can cause sensory disorders of the foot, but the anatomical basis for the relationship between the deformity/overload and sensory disorders of the foot is unclear. We discussed that this connecting branch can be a potential cause of pressure neuropathies in the human foot.     

Cutaneous innervation of the ankle: An anatomical study showing danger zones for ankle surgery

Three nerves innervate the skin in the foot and ankle region: the saphenous, sural, and superficial peroneal nerves. Because they are close to the medial and lateral malleoli, these nerves are at significant risk during orthopedic interventions. The aims of this study were to investigate the distal courses of the three cutaneous nerves of the ankle and to determine their exact relationships with easily identifiable bony landmarks. Ten freshly frozen and 40 embalmed lower extremities of adults were dissected. The positions of the superficial peroneal, sural, and saphenous nerves were determined using reference lines based on easily palpable osseous landmarks. The frequencies and distributions of all three nerves and their branches were converted into absolute numbers. A danger zone for each nerve was established on the basis of the distribution of crossings between the nerves and the different reference lines. Determination of the exact orientation of the nerves around the ankle should help minimize the nerve injury rate during surgical approaches in this area. Using this easily translatable new grid system, the course and danger zones of each cutaneous nerve around the ankle can be estimated clinically. Clin. Anat. 653–658, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Peculiarities of the sural nerve complex morphologic types in human fetuses

The sural nerve is the most frequently used sensory nerve in nerve transplantation. It can be transplanted alone or together with the other elements of the neurovascular stalk within the superficial sural flap. The aim of this study was to define the morphologic types of the sural nerve complex, as well as to describe their specific characteristics. Microdissection was performed on 100 human fetuses (200 calves) after 10% formalin fixation. Five morphologic types of sural nerve complex with different incidence were defined. Two morphologic types dominated: type I (58.5%) in which the sural nerve was formed by merging of a fibular communicating branch and the medial sural cutaneous nerve, and type III (26%) in which the medial sural cutaneous nerve took over the function of the sural nerve. Other morphologic variations were less common.     

Cubital fossa venipuncture sites based on anatomical variations and relationships of cutaneous veins and nerves

Venipuncture is a routine procedure performed at medical institutions for blood collection and blood donation, as well as for health screening and testing. Venipuncture is invasive and usually mildly painful, but it occasionally causes internal bleeding and chronic persistent pain, which is referred to as complex regional pain syndrome. The most common site of venipuncture is the upper arm. The present study macroscopically and anatomically ascertained positional relationships between cutaneous nerves and veins in the cubital (aka antecubital) fossa in many cadaveric dissections to determine the risk of peripheral nerve injury during venipuncture. We identified the most suitable venipuncture site in the upper arm. The medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm (MCNF) passed above the median cubital vein (MCBV) in 27 of 128 cases (21.1%), and was located inferior to the MCBV in 37 of 128 cases (28.9%). The MCBV also passed above the lateral cutaneous nerve forearm (LCNF) in 8 of 128 cases (6.2%). The LCNF was located deeper than the MCBV in 56 of 128 cases (43.8%). The distribution of cutaneous veins and nerves widely varies, and while no single area suitable for all individuals was identified, puncture of the MCBV near the cephalic vein is the least likely to cause nerve damage.     

Anatomical variations of the human sural nerve and its role in clinical and surgical procedures

The sural nerve is the most commonly nerve used in nerve transplantation, and so the aim of this study was to determine the variations of the sural nerve in the back of the leg, its relations to the calcaneal tendon and lateral malleolus, and determine the patterns of its distribution on the dorsum of the foot. Twenty‐four Egyptian legs and feet were dissected. The results showed that the sural communicating nerve connected with the sural nerve in 87.5%. The predominant site of union between these two nerves was in the lower one‐third of the leg and ankle region (62%). There was only one right leg that the sural nerve passed through the gastrocnemius. The small saphenous vein passed along the medial side of the sural nerve in 100%. The sural nerve crossed the lateral border of the calcaneal tendon in 50%. The distance between the sural nerve and insertion of calcaneal tendon was 16 + 7 mm in 91.7%. There were four types of pattern of innervation of the toes by the sural nerve. The predominant pattern was type I (45.8%), where the lateral side of the little toe was supplied by the sural nerve alone. The second pattern was type IV (29.2%), where the lateral 2 ½ toes were supplied by the sural nerve alone. These findings are important for sural nerve biopsy and grafts, surgical repair of the calcaneal tendon, and regional anesthesia of the foot. Clin. Anat. 24:237–245, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

远端蒂腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣与肌皮瓣的临床应用与改进

目的:报道应用远端蒂腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣,肌皮瓣修复小腿下段及足踝部软组织缺损的可行性安全性和临床效果。方法:对42例以远端蒂腓肠神经营养血管(肌)皮瓣修复小腿下段及足踝部不同原因所致软组织缺损病例进行总结分析。本组男36例,女6例;年龄最大75岁、最小6岁;皮瓣最大面积17.0cm×15.0cm,最小6.0cm×5.0cm,其中12例皮瓣面积在10.0cm×10.0cm以上;6例设计为肌皮瓣(腓肠肌外侧头),肌瓣最大为10.0cm×7.0cm×2.0cm,最小为6.0cm×5.0cm×1.0cm。结果:所有病例术后皆出现不同程度的皮瓣肿胀,暗道较明道者明显。2例大皮瓣经行小隐静脉远端结扎仍出现肿胀、色暗,皮瓣近侧1/3坏死。皮瓣边缘坏死3例,换药治愈。部分坏死需行植皮者3例。36例术后伤口I期愈合,骨外露软件组织缺损覆盖修复满意,6例II期愈合,其中糖尿病,地中海贫血各一例。结论:(1)远端蒂腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣转位修复小腿下1/3及足踝部缺损创面,极有临床实用价值;(2)设计切取腓肠神经营养血管肌皮瓣修复小腿及足踝填充感染创腔是可行的;(3)但对其皮瓣及所携带的肌瓣究竟切取多大面积是安全的、肌瓣的血运机理以及远端蒂筋膜皮瓣中小隐静脉干是否结扎,何处结扎等问题仍有待进一步研究。