Bilateral Low Division of Sciatic Nerve: A Case Report

Aim:The sciatic nerve shows many variations in its course, division, and branching pattern.These are of clinical importance to the orthopedics, surgeons, plastic surgeons and anesthetists.Background: The sciatic nerve is the largest branch of the sacral plexus with root values L4, L5, S1, S2, and S3.It usually divides into the tibial nerve and the common peroneal nerve at the junction of the middle and lower thirds of the thigh.Low division of the sciatic nerve is a rare observation as compared to high division.Case description: During routine dissection, for 1st year MBBS students in the Department of Anatomy, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar, Punjab, India, bilateral low division of sciatic nerve in a cadaver were observed.It is divided in the middle of the popliteal fossa on the right side and just below the superior angle on the left side.No deviation or communication was seen in the branches of the sciatic nerve or with other nerves.Conclusion: Low division of the sciatic nerve was observed bilaterally which is a rare phenomenon.Clinical significance: Knowledge of anatomical variations in the course, division, and branches of the sciatic nerve is important to clinicians for performing their surgical procedures and nerve blocks.This will prevent any damage to the sciatic nerve and its terminal branches and also help the anesthetists to provide effective nerve blocks.