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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Plast Surg 2019; 52(02): 222-225
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1688513
Original Article
Association of Plastic Surgeons of India

Sciatic Nerve to Pudendal Nerve Transfer: Anatomical Feasibility for a New Proposed Technique

Pawan Agarwal
1   Plastic Surgery Unit, NSCB Government Medical College, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
,
Dhananjaya Sharma
2   Department of Surgery, NSCB Government Medical College, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
,
Sudesh Wankhede
2   Department of Surgery, NSCB Government Medical College, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
,
P. C. Jain
3   Department of Anatomy, NSCB Government Medical College, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
,
N. L. Agrawal
3   Department of Anatomy, NSCB Government Medical College, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
06 May 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Aim Restoration of bladder and bowel continence after pudendal nerve anastomosis has been shown successfully in animal models and may be applicable in humans. Aim of this cadaveric study was to assess feasibility of pudendal nerve neurotization using motor fascicles from sciatic nerve.

Methods Pudendal and sciatic nerves were exposed via gluteal approach in 5 human cadavers (10 sites). Size of pudendal and sciatic nerves and the distance between two nerves was measured.

Results There were four male and one female cadavers. Mean age was 62 (range, 50–70) years. Mean pudendal nerve diameter was 2.94 mm (right side) and 2.82 mm (left side). Mean sciatic nerve diameter was 11.2 mm (right side) and 14.2 mm (left side). The distance between two nerves was 23.4 mm on both sides.

Conclusion Transfer of the motor fascicles from sciatic nerve to pudendal nerve to restore the bladder and bowel continence is feasible.

Keywords

sciatic nerve - pudendal nerve - neurotization - incontinence - bladder - spinal cord injury
 

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