Medial sural cutaneous nerve biopsy

This paper describes indications, preoperative preparation, operative technique, and postoperative care for an adaptation of a commonly performed, outpatient neurology procedure, the sural nerve biopsy. We performed a chart review on 12 patients, with follow-ups ranging from 6 to 26 months, treated by the PI (J.F.T.) over 3 years, and only 1 noted complication (delayed wound healing in a steroid-dependent person). All procedures were performed in an operating room setting under local anesthetic with standby intravenous sedation. We provide a stepwise procedure description of this technique that can be performed with very low morbidity in an outpatient, minor procedure setting.