Bilateral Presentation of Tensor Fascia Suralis Muscle in a Male Cadaver.

Tensor fascia suralis muscle is an anomalous muscle located in popliteal fossa. The muscle may arise from any of the hamstring muscles and is inserted into the crural fascia or tendoclacaneus. We found tensor fascia suralis muscle in a male cadaver taking origin from medial side of tendon of biceps femoris muscle. The tendinous origin was then transformed into a well defined fusiform belly in the roof of popliteal fossa. After traversing downwards and medially the muscle again became tendinous to get inserted into deep fascia of leg. Bilateral presentation of the anomalous muscle is not yet documented in literature. The anatomical relation of the muscle explains its great clinical importance. The tendinous origin was anteriorly related to sciatic nerve and the muscle belly to the tibial nerve. Sural nerve and short saphenous vein were in lateral relation to the muscle. Contraction of muscle in the roof of popliteal fossa may lead to sciatic, tibial or sural nerve neuropathy. The muscle can confuse the physician of a soft tissue mass or an aberrant vessel. Hence, the bilateral presence of tensor fascia suralis muscle is documented for further references. Clinical Significance: The precise knowledge of anatomy of popliteal region is mandatory for the surgeons to perform safe and uncomplicated surgery in and around popliteal fossa and also for radiologist for correct radiographic interpretations.

Re-orientation of gynaecology residents on pelvic surgical anatomy using human cadaver.

Background and Objectives: The residents of gynaecology should have sound knowledge on pelvic anatomy and have to be adequately trained on common surgical procedures. The training programme was conducted in the dissection hall of Anatomy department of Rural Medical college Loni .During residency, they may not receive adequate training on common surgical procedures for various reasons like shortage of cases, infrequent performance of certain procedures, inability of the faculty to give time ,attention for training in OT and fear of possible complications and medico legal litigations. Material and methods: Twelve residents in Gynaecology and two senior faculty members each from the department of Gynaecology and Anatomy participated in training programme. Five training sessions of dissection of a single human female cadaver ,each lasting for two and half hour duration, were conducted. Pretest and post test were performed with prevalidated and pre tested questionnaire and results compared to assess the impact of training. Level of satisfaction of residents about this innovative method of teaching and training was assessed through 7 point Likert scale. Results: Training programme resulted in significant improvement in the residents knowledge on pelvic surgical anatomy and common surgical gynaecological Procedures. Faculty members identified new insights into the interdisciplinary process of teaching . Conclusion: Surgical training using human cadaver was effective and feasible .It made the teaching process interactive and interesting. Residents expressed happiness about the innovative method of teaching.

An unusual formation of sciatic nerve.

Sciatic nerve is the largest nerve and a branch of sacral plexus that controls hamstrings and all muscles of the lower limb below the knee. We are reporting a bilateral variant formation of the sciatic nerve found in a male human cadaver. The commencement of single sciatic nerve trunk formation was found to be in the lower gluteal region instead of the pelvic region. All the roots of the sciatic nerve, namely, the lumbosacral trunk (L4, L5), S1, S2, and S3 were observed to remain separate up to the lower part of the gluteal region. Incidence of this variation in general population needs to be investigated so as to create awareness among surgeons and anesthetists about the degree and extent of variation in sciatic nerve formation. Complete sciatic nerve blockages will fail even after multiple punctures and attempts if the sciatic nerve is present as separately sheathed bundles until the lower gluteal level.