Prevalence of Martin-Gruber Anastomosis in Healthy Subjects: An Electrophysiological Study from Raigarh, Chhattisgarh

Neurol India. 2021 Jul-Aug;69(4):950-955. doi: 10.4103/0028-3886.325369.

Abstract

Background: Martin Gruber anastomosis is a common anomaly in forearm between median and ulnar nerve. It may lead to technical pitfall or misinterpretation of nerve conduction studies of these nerves.

Objective: The aim of this studywasto determine the prevalence of Martin-Gruber Anastomosis (MGA) in healthy Raigarh subjects by electrophysiological evaluation.

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in both forearms of 140 healthy subjects. Electrophysiological studies were performed to measure compound muscle action potentials of abductor pollicis brevis, abductor digiti minimi and first dorsal interosseous muscles when stimulated from distal (wrist) and proximal (elbow) site. Descriptive and analytic statistics were performed using SPSS software.

Results: MGA was found in 44 (15.71%) out of the 280 forearms in 30 (21.4%) out of 140 subjects. It was present in 14 males and 16 females. Most frequent type of MGA was of Type II in both genders. The MGA was found bilaterally in 14 subjects. In unilateral cases 8 subjects had MGA in right forearm and 8 subjects had MGA in left forearm.

Conclusions: The high prevalence of MGA in the Raigarh population suggest that the orthopedics and neurosurgeons should also take in account this anatomic anomaly while analyzing median and ulnar nerve conduction studies or needle electromyography.

Keywords: Anomalous innervation; Martin-Gruber anastomosis; electrophysiology; median nerve; ulnar nerve.

MeSH terms

  • Anastomosis, Surgical
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Forearm*
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Median Nerve*
  • Neural Conduction
  • Prevalence