Electrophysiological study of Martin–Gruber anastomosis in a sample of Egyptians

Abstract

Introduction Martin–Gruber anastomosis (MGA) is one of the most common anomalous innervations present in the body. Missing these anomalous innervations may easily be mistaken for technical pitfalls or even for actual pathology. Aim The aim of the current study was to determine the presence and the frequency of MGA by electrophysiological examination in a sample of Egyptian subjects. Subjects and methods It is a cross-sectional study of consecutive apparently healthy volunteers. The study included 200 forearms from 100 apparently healthy Egyptian volunteers in a single-center public-hospital-based electromyography laboratory. Electrophysiological studies in the form of motor conduction study for the median and ulnar nerves were performed by recording the hypothenar, first dorsal inerosseous, and thenar muscles. Qualitative data were analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test. Results The present study included 69 (69%) women. MGA was found in 39 (19.5%) forearms of 26 (26%) subjects electrophysiologically. There was no statistical significant difference between the occurrence of MGA in men versus women (P=0.127). The most common form was MGA to the first dorsal interosseous muscle. It was present in 30 (15%) forearms of 24 (24%) subjects. MGA to thenar muscles was present in 13 (6.5%) forearms of 12 (12%) subjects. MGA to the abductor digiti minimi muscle was present in five (2.5%) forearms of five (5%) subjects. Conclusion Martin–Gruber anastomosis is present in Egyptians. The frequency of occurrence of MGA in a sample of Egyptian subjects was found to be 26% in electrophysiological examination.

Keywords

• anastomosis
• anomalous innervations
• Egyptians
• Martin–Gruber anastomosis
• median nerve