Authors : , N. Esakkiammal, Khizer Hussain Afroze M, , Renu Chauhan, , Manickam Subramanian, , Balaji T. K, , Azmatulla Shaik
DOI : 10.16965/ijar.2016.253
Volume : 4
Issue : 2
Year : 2016
Page No : 2502-2507
Background: The nerve of Kuntz is an inconstant intra thoracic ramus arises from the 2nd thoracic nerve and it carries the sympathetic fibres joined with either 1st thoracic or 1st intercostal nerve or stellate ganglion to contribute the sympathetic innervations to the upper limb. The intra thoracic nerve of Kuntz is one of the causes for surgical failures and recurrence of symptoms after sympathectomy. Knowledge of anatomy of the sympathetic innervation to the upper limb is of great importance for neurosurgeons during surgical sympathectomy procedures. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 12 formalin fixed cadavers (24 sides) in the Department of Anatomy, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute. After reflection of the anterior wall and eviscerated of the thorax, the intrathoracic organs were removed to expose the posterior mediastinum. The incidence of any connection between the 2nd to 1st thoracic or 1st intercostal nerve or stellate ganglion were noted and photographed. The variations observed were classified as per Zaidi and Ashraf (2010) classification of intra thoracic nerve of Kuntz. Observations: In the present study, Out of 12 cadavers (24 sides) dissected, the nerve of Kuntz was present in 9 Specimens (37.6%). As per Zaidi and Ashraf (2010) classification, Type A was seen in 12.5%, Type B in 4.3%, Type C in 8.3% and of Type D in 12.5% Conclusion: The data regarding the study on variations of intra thoracic nerve of Kuntz is helpful to the surgeons to successfully perform upper limb sympathectomy.