Saphenous Nerve in the Distal Adductor Canal: Anatomic Position of the Nerve in Relation to the Superficial Femoral Artery

Wake Forest School of Medicine 73 Background: For ultrasound-guided saphenous nerve blockade within the adductor canal, the location of the saphenous nerve relative to the superficial femoral artery may be important for continuous blockade or low-volume, diagnostic block. Currently, there are inconsistencies in the literature and anatomy textbooks as to the anatomic relationship of these two structures in the distal adductor canal. Using anatomical position to characterize structural relationships, the saphenous nerve has been described or depicted as being either anterior or posterior to the artery, depending on the reference. The objective was to determine the location of the saphenous nerve relative to the superficial femoral artery in the distal adductor canal.