A 6 cm gap remains after excision of a neuroma-in-continuity of the median nerve at the forearm. Cable grafting is planned. Which nerve is the standard donor for the graft?

• A Dorsal cutaneous branch of the ulnar nerve
• B Lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve
• C Radial sensory nerve
• D Sural nerve ✓

Explanation

The sural nerve is the standard cable graft donor because it is long, easily harvested through multiple transverse incisions or endoscopically, expendable with only a patch of numbness over the lateral heel and foot, and provides 30 to 40 cm of calibre-matched graft. The medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm is the usual alternative for longer defects. The radial sensory nerve is avoided as a donor when the recipient is a major mixed nerve of the same limb.

Reference: Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics, 14th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.