Level options for the formation and branching of the common peroneal nerve

The study of topographic and anatomical features of the common peroneal nerve and its main branches was performed on 72 lower extremities of adult corpses. Morphoscopic and morphometric established that the higher the level of development of the common peroneal nerve, the greater the diameter, it has held more distance to the branch of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the calf. The average value of the diameter of the common peroneal nerve at the place of formation is10,1±2,8 mm. Differences in the level of development of the common peroneal nerve play an important role in the evaluation of the clinical picture of his injuries. In the «high» version of the formation, the probability of isolated damage to the common peroneal nerve is higher with trauma to the upper and middle third of the thigh. In this embodiment, the formation between the tibial and the common peroneal nerve revealed «anastomoses». Their presence helps to explain the possible dissonance between the clinical picture and the anatomical substrate of the lesion. It is shown that the lower the level of nerve formation, the greater the angle at which the nerve departs. The loose type of branching of the common peroneal nerve at the level of the head of the fibula does not allow adequate mobilization of the nerve in this area. This, in turn, does not allow intraoperatively overcome diastasis with nerve injury at the level of the fibula head. The surface location of the nerve, as well as its immobility in this place cause a high risk of compression-ischemic neuropathy. These features of the formation and variant anatomy of the common peroneal nerve explain a small percentage of favorable outcomes of surgical treatment of lesions of the common peroneal nerve and its main branches. The obtained morphometric data should be used as an indicator of the range of anatomical norms in the conduct of neuroimaging examination techniques (ultrasound, magnetic resonance) in the diagnosis of damage to the common peroneal nerve.

variant anatomy, common peroneal nerve, sciatic nerve, deep peroneal nerve, superficial peroneal nerve, loose type of branching of the common peroneal nerve, morphometric data