Topography of the deep branch of the ulnar nerve between genders: a cadaveric study with potential clinical implications

Authors

  • Alfio Luca Costa
  • Konstantinos Natsis
  • Marco Romeo
  • Maria Piagkou
  • Franco Bassetto
  • Cesare Tiengo
  • Bruno Battiston
  • Paolo Titolo
  • Nikolaos Papadopulos
  • Michele Rosario Colonna

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1080/2000656X.2022.2032103

Abstract

Abstract The lack of meticulous knowledge concerning the topographical anatomy of the deep branch of the ulnar nerve (DUN) may pose difficulties, leading to a delay or a misdiagnosis of a DUN injury. Identification of the DUN is quite difficult without precise anatomical landmarks as reference points. The current study investigates the topography of the DUN between genders, taking as a reference point a well-known landmark, the Kaplan line, used in hand surgery for carpal tunnel release. Twenty-two (15 males and 7 female) fresh frozen adult cadaveric hands were dissected by using magnifying loupes (3.5 and 5.0 x). We marked values proximal to the Kaplan line as positive (+), while we marked distal ones as negative (-). The mean distance DUN–Kaplan line was 1.69 ± 4.45 mm. In male hands, the mean distance was 4.17 ± 1.88 mm, distal to the Kaplan line, while in females, the mean distance was −4.92 ± 0.69 mm proximal to the Kaplan line. Gender dimorphism was detected, with higher statistically significant values in male hands (p = 0.001). Cadaveric studies of the DUN topography, course, and distribution pattern are uncommon. The current study provides an accurate description of the DUN topography, taking the Kaplan line as a reference point, emphasizing gender differences. The DUN is located distally in males and proximally in females. Knowledge of these predictable anatomical relations may help hand surgeons intraoperatively when dealing with a DUN lesion, because of hand trauma or during the decompression of the DUN.

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Published

2023-02-28

How to Cite

Costa, A. L., Natsis, K., Romeo, M., Piagkou, M., Bassetto, F., Tiengo, C., … Colonna, M. R. (2023). Topography of the deep branch of the ulnar nerve between genders: a cadaveric study with potential clinical implications. Journal of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, 57(1-6), 178–180. https://doi.org/10.1080/2000656X.2022.2032103

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