title: Cadaveric Study of Berretini Communications in North Indian Population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intercommunication between peripheral nerves deserves special attention in view of their clinical significance. Superficial palmar communication between the median nerve and ulnar nerve is referred to as Berrettini Anastomosis. The presence or absence of this communicating branch varies between individuals. Earlier, incidence of Berretini communication reported varied significantly (4-94%).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to find out the frequency with which Berretini communication is found in North Indians.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study was conducted on 60 upper limbs of 30 cadavers at the Government Medical College, Amritsar. The whole course of the median nerve and the ulnar nerve was exposed. Communicating rami in the hand were identified, cleaned and photographed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all the six (10%) variant limbs, the communicating branch originated from lateral common palmar digital branch of ulnar nerve and joined medial common palmar digital branch of median nerve. Single communication with oblique course was seen in all the variants. Further, its ontogeny and clinical implications have been discussed in detail.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Berretini anastomosis was seen in 10% upper limbs of the present study. Damage to the communicating branch or the severing of the branch might result in sensory loss which may be difficult to diagnose owing to the large number of variations in the origin of the communicating branch. The patterns of sensory impairment may vary depending upon the branch of median and ulnar nerve it is seen connecting.
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College and Hospital , Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India .
authors: Neelamjit
authors: N
authors: Kaur
authors: Professor, Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College , Patiala, Punjab, India .
authors: Rajan Kumar
authors: RK
authors: Singla
authors: Additional Professor, Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College , Punjab, India .
authors: Jagdev Singh
authors: JS
authors: Kullar
keywords: Anastomosis; Carpal tunnel; Communicating rami; Median; Ulnar; Variations in hand