Andrea Povedano1, Rosana Siqueira Brown2, Daniel A N Barbosa3, Rossano Kepler Alvim Fiorelli4, Fernando Guedes2. 1. Department of Surgery, Gaffrée e Guinle University Hospital, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro State (UNIRIO), 775 Mariz e Barros Street, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. andrea.povedano@unirio.br. 2. Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, Gaffrée e Guinle University Hospital, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro State (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. 3. Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA. 4. Department of Surgery, Gaffrée e Guinle University Hospital, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro State (UNIRIO), 775 Mariz e Barros Street, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Motor deficits affecting anal sphincter control can severely impair quality of life. Peripheral nerve transfer has been proposed as an option to reestablish anal sphincter motor function. We assessed, in human cadavers, the anatomical feasibility of nerve transfer from a motor branch of the tibialis portion of the sciatic nerve to two distinct points on pudendal nerve (PN), through transgluteal access, as a potential approach to reestablish anal sphincter function. METHODS: We dissected 24 formalinized specimens of the gluteal region and posterior proximal third of the thigh. We characterized the motor fascicle (donor nerve) from the sciatic nerve to the long head of the biceps femoris muscle and the PN (recipient nerve), and measured nerve lengths required for direct coaptation from the donor nerve to the recipient in both the gluteal region (proximal) and perineal cavity (distal). RESULTS: We identified three anatomical variations of the donor nerve as well as three distinct branching patterns of the recipient nerve from the piriformis muscle to the pudendal canal region. Donor nerve lengths (proximal and distal) were satisfactory for direct coaptation in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Transfer of a motor fascicle of the sciatic nerve to the PN is anatomically feasible without nerve grafts. Donor nerve length was sufficient and donor nerve functionally compatible (motor). Anatomical variations in the PN could also be accommodated.
PURPOSE: Motor deficits affecting anal sphincter control can severely impair quality of life. Peripheral nerve transfer has been proposed as an option to reestablish anal sphincter motor function. We assessed, in human cadavers, the anatomical feasibility of nerve transfer from a motor branch of the tibialis portion of the sciatic nerve to two distinct points on pudendal nerve (PN), through transgluteal access, as a potential approach to reestablish anal sphincter function. METHODS: We dissected 24 formalinized specimens of the gluteal region and posterior proximal third of the thigh. We characterized the motor fascicle (donor nerve) from the sciatic nerve to the long head of the biceps femoris muscle and the PN (recipient nerve), and measured nerve lengths required for direct coaptation from the donor nerve to the recipient in both the gluteal region (proximal) and perineal cavity (distal). RESULTS: We identified three anatomical variations of the donor nerve as well as three distinct branching patterns of the recipient nerve from the piriformis muscle to the pudendal canal region. Donor nerve lengths (proximal and distal) were satisfactory for direct coaptation in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Transfer of a motor fascicle of the sciatic nerve to the PN is anatomically feasible without nerve grafts. Donor nerve length was sufficient and donor nerve functionally compatible (motor). Anatomical variations in the PN could also be accommodated.