A unique variation of the deep fibular nerve: A case report.

ABSTRACT

Deep fibular nerve is one of the two terminal branches of the common fibular nerve. The deep fibular nerve can be damaged in procedures related the anterior compartment of the leg such as the application of an external fixator to the leg and operations using intramedullary nailing after tibial fracture. Therefore, it is important to know the anatomy and variations of the deep fibular nerve. An anatomical variation concerning the deep fibular nerve was detected in the right lower extremity of the 65-year-old cadaver we dissected. In this case, it was observed that the deep fibular nerve split into two nerve arms in the distal half of the leg and reunited after continuing 9cm apart to form a loop. This loop formation may increase the iatrogenic damage of the deep fibular nerve as a result of surgery and percutaneous interventions to the anterior leg compartment. We described in this case report a hitherto unobserved finding of the branching pattern of the deep fibular nerve. We think that this unique anatomical variation seen in the right lower extremity of the case of academic interest and will also help orthopedicians in anterior leg compartment surgery.