Motor Nerve Biopsy of Peroneus Longus Branch of Superficial Peroneal Nerve for Diagnosis of Motor Neuropathy

Abstract

Background Peripheral neuropathy is common among general population. Motor
nerve biopsy is the only diagnostic modality which can identify the etiology of motor
neuropathy. The motor nerve of gracilis and motor branch to peroneal longus are the
various options available for motor nerve biopsy. Our study aims to describe the
surgical technique of harvest of peroneus longus branch of superficial peroneal nerve.
Materials and Methods This is a retrospective study conducted at the Institute of
Craniofacial, Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery and the Department of Neurology, SIMS
Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Patients with clinical suspicion of motor
neuropathy who underwent motor nerve biopsy of the superficial peroneal nerve
were included in the study. The surgical technique is described in detail.
Results Six patients who underwent biopsy of the motor branch of superficial
peroneal nerve were included in the study. All the patients in the study group were
male, belonging to the age group of 15 to 60 years with majority of the patients more
than 50 years (66%). The procedure was uneventful in all the patients. Eighty-three
percent of patients had more than one motor branch to peroneus longus muscle. No
new postoperative neurological deficit was observed. Eighty-three percent of patients
were confirmed with motor neuropathy. One patient was diagnosed as diabetic
neuropathy.
Conclusion Peroneus longus motor branch of the superficial peroneal nerve is a
convenient and safe alternative technique of motor nerve biopsy for diagnosing
patients presenting with lower limb weakness. We have described in detail the
technical details of harvesting motor branch of the superficial peroneal nerve without
causing further neurological deficit.