Anatomy of the sural nerve complex

Abstract

The anatomy of the sural nerve complex in 20 cadaveric limbs was determined by dissection. The nerve usually consists of four named components: the medial sural cutaneous nerve, the lateral sural cutaneous nerve, the peroneal communicating branch, and the sural nerve. In most instances (80%), the sural nerve is formed in the distal portion of the leg by the union of the medial sural cutaneous nerve and the peroneal communicating branch. In 20% of cases, the peroneal communicating branch is absent. In such cases, the sural nerve is derived from the medial sural cutaneous nerve alone. The lateral sural cutaneous nerve is laterally situated and usually divides into medial and lateral branches. In a few cases, its medial division may contribute to the sural nerve through the peroneal communicating branch. The peroneal communicating branch can be of substantial caliber and may be useful as a source of nerve graft without complete sacrifice of the sural nerve. We describe a technique of isolation of the peroneal communicating branch for use as a nerve graft.