Introduction

Knowledge on the anatomical variations of the thenar motor branch (TMB) of the median nerve is essential, in order to avoid its iatrogenic injury during carpal tunnel release [1–3]. Classification of these variations is generally based on the site of origin of the TMB from the median nerve. In the extra-ligamentous type (seen in about 75% of the population) [3], the TMB arises distal to the transverse carpal ligament and then takes a retrograde course to the thenar muscles. In both the sub- and trans-ligamentous types (seen in about 13 and 11% of the population, respectively), the TMB arises within the carpal tunnel (under the transverse carpal ligament). In the former sub-ligamentous type, the TMB remains deep to the transverse carpal ligament until it reaches the thenar muscles. In the latter trans-ligamentous type, the TMB pierces the ligament to reach the thenar muscles. Finally, the pre-ligamentous TMB (very rare) [3] arises from the median nerve proximal to the transverse carpal ligament and then pierces the antebrachial fascia of the distal forearm to reach the thenar muscles [4].

Anatomical variations of the TMB may also be classified according to the side of branching from the median nerve. In about 98% of the population, the TMB arises from the radial or antero-radial aspect of the median nerve [3]. In the remaining 2% of the population, the TMB arises from the ulnar side of the median nerve [3].

In this paper, the authors document a previously undescribed variant of pre-ligamentous TMB in which it arose from the ulnar side of the median nerve in the distal forearm and remained deep to the transverse carpal ligament without piercing the antebrachial fascia to reach the thenar muscles. This variant is not only extremely rare but also puts the nerve at significant risk of iatrogenic injury during carpal tunnel release.

Case report

A 30-year-old man sustained a glass injury to the distal forearm resulting in a 3-cm longitudinal laceration in the mid-forearm along the course of the median nerve. Severe arterial bleeding was noted, which was controlled by a tight bandage at the workplace. At the time of presentation to our hospital, there was still active bleeding, despite the tight bandage. The patient was immediately taken to the operating room.

Following endotracheal intubation, an arm tourniquet was applied and inflated before removing the tight bandage. Wound exploration along with carpal tunnel release was performed. The source of bleeding was from a partially lacerated persistent median artery, which ran on the anterior aspect of the median nerve. There was no injury to the median nerve or flexor tendons. A very unusual variant of the TMB was noted intraoperatively (Fig. 1a, b). The TMB arose from the ulnar side of the median nerve 2 cm proximal to the distal wrist crease. The TMB remained deep to both the antebrachial fascia and the transverse carpal ligament, crossing (from ulnar to radial) the persistent median artery to reach the thenar muscles. Nerve stimulation resulted in thenar muscle contraction. The injured persistent median artery was transected and ligated after the release of the tourniquet to ensure an adequate vascularity of all digits. Both radial and ulnar arteries had strong palpable pulses at the wrist. Prior to ligation of the persistent median artery, a vascular clamp was applied to the injured median artery and a sterile pulse oximetry was applied to the pulps of the digits. Oxygen saturation was 99–100% in all digits with a normal pulse wave, and hence, repair of the median artery was not necessary. The post-operative course was uneventful with return to work 3 weeks after injury.

Fig. 1
figure 1

a An intraoperative view. b The diagrammatic representation of the findings in our case (see text for details)

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Discussion

The current case has a combination of rare variations: a persistent median artery (seen in about 10% of the population) [5], an ulnar origin of the TMB (seen in 2% of the population) [3], and a pre-ligamentous TMB variant (very rare) [3]. In all previously reported cases of the pre-ligamentous variants, the TMB arose from the radial or antero-radial aspect of the median nerve in the distal forearm and then pierced the antebrachial fascia to run superficial to the transverse carpal ligament until it reached the thenar muscles [3, 4, 6]. Our case was unique because the pre-ligamentous TMB not only arose from the ulnar side of the median nerve but it also remained deep to both the antebrachial fascia and the transverse carpal ligament until it reached the thenar muscles. The course of this variant puts the TMB at significant risk of injury during both open and endoscopic carpal tunnel release.

The presence of a persistent median artery in our case is also interesting. Several authors noted that a persistent median artery is frequently associated with a high division of the median nerve (also known as the bifid median nerve) [1, 3, 7]. A bifid median nerve is only seen in 2.6% of the population; but it is associated with a 63% prevalence of a persistent median artery [3]. Lanz [1] noted that the two parts of bifid median nerves are usually equal in size. Other authors documented a larger radial division of the bifid median nerve [8]. Hence, the presence of a persistent median artery in our case may actually represent a concurrent high division of the median nerve: a small ulnar division representing a pre-ligamentous TMB and a large radial division containing the remaining trunk of the median nerve.

Finally, it is important to be aware that the persistent median artery may be the main blood supply to the radial two digits [7–9]. Therefore, hand vascularity should be checked before transection or excision of the persistent median artery [7], and this was done in our case.