Abnormally High Prevalence of Sciatic Nerve High Division: Potential Causes and Clinical Considerations

Sciatic nerve high division (SNHD) is a common anatomical variation with many clinical implications, but it is often underrecognized. This study involved the dissection of 56 limbs from 28 cadavers and revealed a 30.4% prevalence of SNHD, nearly double that reported in major meta-analyses. Among these, three cases displayed a novel variant not represented in the traditional Beaton and Anson classification system, prompting the proposal of a new subtype (1937). These findings show the importance of anatomical awareness in clinical practice, explore potential embryological and genetic causes of SNHD, and support the use of imaging techniques such as ultrasound to reduce surgical and diagnostic risk.