Abnormal Division of Radial Nerve Encountered during Fixation of Fracture of Shaft of Humerus through Anterior Approach

Variation in the branching pattern of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus is a rare occurrence when compared with the variations in the branching pattern of the medial and lateral cords. Even more rarer is the variation in the branching pattern of the radial nerve. This article is a report of the observation made during surgical fixation of humerus shaft fracture through the anterior approach wherein radial nerve was seen as anterior and posterior divisions rather than a single nerve bundle. The anterior division continued as the main radial nerve and posterior division gave branches to the triceps muscle. An orthopedic surgeon should be aware of radial nerve divisions while exposing the humerus shaft and butterfly fragment for fracture fixations. Bone clamps should be applied with caution.