Human cadaveric study of lumbar plexus and its clinical implication

Abstract

Background & Aims: The Lumbar plexus describes the origins of 4 of the nerves supplying the lower limb (femoral, lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, obturator and genitofemoral) along with the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves. Aim of this study is to study the abnormalities in formation of lumbar plexus and communication between the branches of lumbar plexus and its clinical implication. Material & Method: This study was conducted on 100 cadavers (67 male and 33 female) with an age range of 50 - 90 years. Results: No abnormality was found related to roots and trunk. Post fixed lumbar plexus (bilateral) were found in 6 cadavers. Genital branch and femoral branch was found to arise separately from the root in 22 cadavers (bilaterally). Accessory lateral femoral cutaneous nerve was observed on both sides in 4 cadavers. Femoral nerve was found to arise from dorsal division of L3-4-5 in 8 cadavers (bilateral). Accessory obturator nerve was found bilaterally in 26 cadavers and it was arising from L3-4. Conclusion: Knowledge of variations in the formation and branching pattern of lumbar plexus is very important during lumbar plexus block for various surgical and palliative procedures.