Sural nerve harvest for infants: integrated with information based on anatomical dissections

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of the present study was to determine the course and possible variations of the sural nerve with all anatomical details in human fetal cadavers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed on 60 fetal cadavers. Formation type and level of the sural nerve was detected. RESULTS: According to trimesters, it was determined that the mean transverse and vertical distance between the lowest point of the LM and the SN varied between 1.1 and 2.9 mm and 1.54 and 3.58 mm, respectively. Type 2 was the most common seen type of sural nerve (35.83%). It was determined that the sural nerve was mostly formed at the middle third of the leg (42.5%). CONCLUSION: Sural nerve graft with the knowledge of the anatomical details may be used for peripheral nerve reconstruction is required in congenital lesions, such as facial paralysis, obstetric brachial paralysis, and posttraumatic lesions in infants and children.