The anatomy of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh - a possible donor nerve for facial nerve repair Research; development

S. Zhao, L. Qht, P. DL Y. IVang: The anaton O" of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh - a possible donor nerve for facial nerve repair, hzt. J. Oral 2lIaxillofae. Surg. 1995; 24: 245-247. © Munksgaard, 1995 Abstract. One hundred anterior branches of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh were dissected and measured in 50 adult cadavers. The results show that this nerve was present in all sides, and the average length from the point of the nerve piercing the fascia lata to the point of its first branch was about 79 mm, the average width was 2.25 mm, and the average thickness was 0.79 ram. It was found that the nerve was approximately along the line bet~een the anterior su- perior iliac spine and the midpoint of the upper margin of the patella. This study presents a simple method of locating this nerve for clinical reference. The results also reveal that this nerve is a possible donor for facial nerve repair.