ABSTRACT
Background: The sciatic nerve arises within the pelvis from the sacral plexus, enters into the gluteal regionthrough the greater sciatic notch and divides into two terminal branches at variable level in the posteriorcompartment of thigh. The variable level of division of sciatic nerve in the thigh leads to failure of sciatic nerveblockage. Considering this clinical problem, the present study has been undertaken with the object to measurethe distance of division of sciatic nerve from the popliteal crease.Materials and Methods: 32 embalmed formalin fixed cadavers were dissected in the gluteal region, back of thighand popliteal fossa and the sciatic nerve were exposed and the distance of division of sciatic nerve weremeasured from the popliteal crease.Results: Out of 32 cadavers dissected the sciatic nerve divides at a distance range of 5 cm–20 cm in malecadavers and 4 cm–11 cm in female cadavers. In 2 cadavers the sciatic nerve divides within the pelvis itself.Conclusion: So, to achieve complete blockage of sciatic nerve in most of the patients the needle should be insertedabout 14 cm (mean distance) above the popliteal crease in males and 8 cm (mean distance) above the poplitealcrease in females