Persistent primitive sciatic artery: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

A persistent sciatic artery is an anatomical variation as the artery running in the posterior thigh compartment should have regressed at the embryological level. Its persistence should be looked into the window of potential complications such as aneurysms and limb ischemia. A number of cases have previously been documented in international journals, but none locally. We present findings of a monthly resident dissection course whereby an adult male cadaver was dissected on the gluteal and posterior thigh, and we found a persistent sciatic artery arising on the lateral circumflex femoral artery, and distally, it was joining the normal popliteal artery. Persistent sciatic artery is a variation worth knowing for surgeons and anesthesiologists approaching the posterior thigh. We should foster awareness of such variations through research.