Sciatic Nerve Intercommunications: New Finding.
OBJECTIVE
Communicating branches between the tibial and common fibular divisions of the sciatic nerve have not been previously described. The aim of our study was to examine such neural connections.


METHODS
Twenty unembalmed adult cadavers underwent dissection of the sciatic nerve. Observations were made for interneural communications between the tibial and common fibular divisions of this nerve. When present, these were measured and classified.


RESULTS
The majority of sides (75%) had neural communications between the parts of the sciatic nerve in the gluteal/posterior thigh regions before the normal bifurcation of the nerve just above the knee. These connections were always within 20 cm of the greater sciatic notch. Most connections were represented by Testut intercommunicating branches types A (14 sides), F (8 sides), and D (2 sides). Most sides were found to have 1 location for sciatic nerve intercommunications. However, 4 sides (13%) had multiple locations (up to 3) for these intercommunications. The mean length of the communications was 4.1 cm, and the mean diameter was 2.4 mm. No statistically significant difference was found between sides or sexes.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, neural interconnections between the divisions of the sciatic nerve in the posterior thigh have not been described in the extant literature. Such data might help explain unusual neurologic examinations and alert the surgeon as to the potential for encountering such connections at operation.
Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, Washington, USA.
R Shane
RS
Tubbs
Department of Pathobiology, CUNY School of Medicine/The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, The City College of New York, CUNY, New York, New York, USA. Electronic address: pcollin00@citymail.cuny.edu.
Peter G
PG
Collin
Department of Pathobiology, CUNY School of Medicine/The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, The City College of New York, CUNY, New York, New York, USA.
Anthony V
AV
D'Antoni
Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, True Blue, Grenada.
Marios
M
Loukas
Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Rod J
RJ
Oskouian
Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Robert J
RJ
Spinner
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology
Anatomy; Interneural connections; Nerve action potential; Neurosurgery; Posterior thigh