Endoscopic harvesting of the sural nerve graft: a cadaveric investigation.

Abstract

This study investigated an endoscopic technique of harvesting the sural nerve graft. Using endoscopic instrumentation, the sural nerve was harvested from six cadaveric legs. A 2-cm longitudinal incision was made immediately posterior to the lateral malleolus, and a 5-mm endoscope was introduced. The path of the nerve was followed to the popliteal space, and nerve dissection was performed from proximal to distal. Air inflation of a balloon was used to enlarge the endoscopic cavity. The cavity created around the nerve was insufflated with carbon dioxide gas, allowing complete nerve isolation. Using a 0.5-cm transverse incision, the nerve was cut and removed. This endoscopic sural nerve grafting approach offers potential advantages such as less injury to soft tissues, decreased pain, nerve integrity preservation, and good aesthetic results.