Fascicular anatomy and surgical access of the human pudendal nerve

Abstract

The ability to access selectively distal nerve branches at the level of the compound pudendal nerve (PN) would allow control of multiple neural pathways and genitourinary functions at a single location. Nerve cuff electrodes can selectively stimulate individual fascicles; however the PN fascicular anatomy is unknown. The fascicular representation of distal branches was identified and traced proximally to create fascicle maps of 12 compound PNs in seven cadavers. Distal nerves were represented as groups of individual fascicles in the PN. Fascicle maps were consistent between specimens and along the PN within specimens. PN branch free length was 26+/-7.7 mm. PN cross-sections were relatively flat with major and minor diameters of 4.3+/-0.90 and 1.7+/-0.45 mm, respectively. Placing a nerve cuff on the PN is anatomically and surgically feasible. The PN fascicular anatomy, branch free length, and cross-section geometry are conducive to selective stimulation of distal nerves with a single nerve cuff electrode.