Cadaveric Study of the Neurovascular Bundle in Tarsal Tunnel Region among Sudanese - 2020

Abstract

Background: Tarsal tunnel is situated medial to the ankle lying deep to the flexor retinaculum. Within which lies the neurovascular bundle in separate compartments. This study examines the level of bifurcation points of tibial nerve and posterior tibial artery, and the location of medial and lateral plantar nerves in the tarsal tunnel. As well as the origin of the medial calcaneal nerves. Methods: This study was a descriptive observational cross sectional study. Step by step dissections of the tarsal tunnel were performed on 30 Sudanese cadavers, the contents of the tarsal tunnel were explored. Results: The tibial nerve was found to bifurcate before the the medial malleolus calcaneal axis (MMCA) in (n=4/30, 13.3%) specimens , and inside the tunnel (n=26/30, 86.7%). The branching point of the posterior tibialartery was found before the MMCA in (n=10/28, 35.7%) of specimens, at the MMCA in (n=16/28, 57.1%), and after the MMCA in (n= 2/28, 7.1%). Medial calcaneal nerves were found to be derived from the LPN plus the TN in (n=13/30, 43.3%), while in (n=6/30, 20%) were derived from LPN plus MPN plus TN. only (n=5/30, 16.7 %) were derived from LPN alone. Conclusion: anatomical knowledge of the bifurcation points of tibial nerve and posterior tibial artery is of great importance in many medical procedures like external fixation of medial malleolus fractures, medial displacement osteotomy and nerve blocks in podiatric medicine.