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J Hand Microsurg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1771397
Surgical Technique

Multiple Mini Incision Technique for Sural Nerve Harvest: When to Add a Fibular Incision Based on a New Surgical Classification

Sreekanth Raveendran
1   Department of Hand Surgery, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
,
Binu Prathap Thomas 
1   Department of Hand Surgery, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
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Abstract

Sural nerve is the most common nerve used as a source for nerve grafting. Open harvest with longitudinal incisions produces unsightly scars, and this have led to development of less invasive techniques using endoscopes, nerve stripper, and mini-incisions. Several anatomical classifications have also been proposed due to the variations in the anatomy of the sural nerve. A simple and practical surgicoanatomical classification of the sural nerve based on which we have refined our minimal access technique, the multiple mini-incision technique for sural nerve harvest is proposed. In this technique, the incisions required for harvest of the sural nerve are standardized and predictable. A fibular incision is required when the sural nerve has major contribution from the common peroneal nerve. We have found this a simpler and reliable technique of harvest of sural nerve in nerve reconstructive surgery.

Keywords

brachial plexus - hand injury - nerve anastomosis - sural nerve harvest - sural nerve - nerve grafting

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Article published online:
06 November 2023

© 2023. Society of Indian Hand Surgery & Microsurgeons. All rights reserved.

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