Intraseptal superficial peroneal nerve

Abstract

Knowledge of the anatomy of the superficial peroneal nerve (SPN) is necessary for surgeons caring for patients with lower extremity pain after ankle, leg, or knee injuries, for athletes with exertional compartment syndrome, and those having reconstructive microsurgery with either soft tissue or vascularized fibular flaps. The anatomy of the SPN is known to be that of a peripheral nerve traveling in the lateral compartment of the lower leg. Recently, clearer descriptions of its variability have documented that between 27 and 43% of patients have the SPN in either the anterior compartment or both the anterior and the lateral compartment of the leg. The present observations record the location of the SPN within the septum that separates the anterior from the lateral compartment. Awareness of this unusual variant location will enable the surgeon to find and preserve the SPN during fasciotomy, neurolysis, neuroma resection, or bony and soft tissue reconstruction.

Anomalous superficial peroneal nerve and variant cutaneous innervation of the sural nerve on the dorsum of the foot: a case report

“…Moreover the lateral branch descended in the anterior intermuscular septum in a peroneal tunnel and pierced the deep fascia of lateral compartment about 12 cm proximal to the ankle. There are very less reports in the literature suggesting either the superficial peroneal nerve or its branches can be seen in the anterior intermuscular septum [6,7]. During the surgical procedures, if the lateral branch of superficial peroneal nerve is not identified in either anterior or lateral compartments, surgeon should look for the nerve in the anterior intermuscular septum as in the present case.…”

“…The superficial peroneal nerve may bifurcate in the upper part of the leg and both the branches may remain in the lateral compartment [5]. Very rarely the superficial peroneal nerve may be seen in the anterior intermuscular septum [6,7]. …”

Anomalous Superficial Peroneal Nerve With Higher Division: A Case Report

“…There are very less reports in the literature suggesting either the superficial peroneal nerve or its branches can be seen in the anterior intermuscular septum. 6,14 During the surgical procedures, if the lateral branch of superficial peroneal nerve is not identified in either anterior or lateral compartments, surgeon should look for the nerve in the anterior intermuscular septum as in the present case. One should never cut across the anterior intermuscular septum without first examining it very carefully for the presence of the superficial peroneal nerve or its branches.…”

Variations of the superficial peroneal nerve and its terminal branches in the turkish newborn fetuses

“…Its course is at first deep in the peroneus longus muscle, passing antero-inferiorly between the peronei and extensor digitorum longus muscles (7,8). The trunk of the nerve courses to the intermuscular septum between the lateral and anterior compartments (17,21). The nerve pierces the superficial fascia and enters subcutaneous cellular tissue in the lower third of the leg (4,13).…”