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Direct lateral approach to shaft of radius – a cadaver study

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Original Article

Author Details : Backiaraj Devaraj, A. Navaneethan

Volume : 3, Issue : 2, Year : 2017

Article Page : 181-183

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Abstract

Introduction: Shaft of radius is traditionally approached by Henry’s volar approach and Thomson’s dorsal approach. Direct lateral approach is described by Muhammed Hanif et al in 2014. We wanted to evaluate the direct lateral approach through cadaver study.
Materials and Method: Direct lateral approach utilizes the plane between brachioradialis (BR) and extensor carpi radialis longus(ECRL). Ten forearms from 5 adult cadavers were used for this study. We evaluated the anatomic features of the plane and limitations of this approach.
Results: Direct Lateral approach provides 64.5% of radius on lateral aspect without sacrificing any major neuro vascular structure. The average distance of posterior Interosseous nerve from radiocapitellar joint is 3.5 cm. Abductor pollicis longus(ABL) and extensor pollicis brevis(EPB) crosses the radius from posterior to lateral at 5.1 cm from the tip of radial styloid.
Conclusions: Shaft of radius can safely be exposed by direct lateral appraocah. It has some disadvantages which could be addressed with our modification of using the plane between ECRL and Extensor carpi radalis brevis(ECRB) for the proximal exposure. But we need more clinical studies to consider this as an alternate approach to shaft of radius exposure.

Keywords: Lateral approach to radius, Exposure of radius, Forearm fracture, Radius fracture

How to cite : Devaraj B, Navaneethan A, Direct lateral approach to shaft of radius – a cadaver study. Indian J Orthop Surg 2017;3(2):181-183

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