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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 10/2017

01-10-2017 | Shoulder

Effect of scapular external rotation on the axillary nerve during the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure: an anatomical investigation

Authors: Felipe Reinares, Jean-David Werthel, Constantina Moraiti, Philippe Valenti

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 10/2017

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Abstract

Purpose

The first purpose of this study is to measure the distance between the axillary nerve and the exit point of K-wires placed retrograde through the glenoid in the setting of an arthroscopic Latarjet procedure. The second objective is to evaluate whether manual external rotation of the scapula alters that distance.

Methods

In seven fresh–frozen specimens, two 2.0-mm K-wires were drilled through the glenoid using an arthroscopic Latarjet retrograde glenoid guide. These were drilled into the glenoid at the 7- and 8-o’clock positions (right shoulders) and at the 4- and 5-o’clock positions (left). K-wires were oriented parallel to the glenoid articular surface and perpendicular to the long superoinferior axis of the glenoid, 7 mm medial to the joint surface. Two independent evaluators measured the distances between the axillary nerve and the exit point of the K-wires in the horizontal plane (AKHS for the superior K-wire and AKHI for the inferior K-wire) and in the vertical plane (AKV). Measurements were taken with the scapula left free and were repeated with the scapula placed at 15° and 30° of external rotation.

Results

With the scapula left free, scapular external rotation was 34° ± 2.3°. In this position, the AKHS was 2.5 ± 1.6, 6.3 ± 1.2 mm at 15° of external rotation (ER) and 11.4 ± 1.4 mm at 30° ER. The AKHI distance was 0.37 ± 1.6, 3.4 ± 1.4 and 10.6 ± 2.1 mm, respectively, for the scapula left free, at 15° ER and 30° of ER. The AKV distances were, respectively, 0.12 ± 0.2, 4.9 ± 1.6 and 9.9 ± 1.7 mm. The increase in all distances was statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Increasing scapular external rotation significantly increases the distance between the axillary nerve and the exit point of the K-wires, increasing the margin of safety during this procedure. Therefore, increased external rotation of the scapula could be an effective tool to decrease the risk of iatrogenic axillary nerve injury.

Level of evidence

Cadaveric study, Level V.
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Metadata
Title
Effect of scapular external rotation on the axillary nerve during the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure: an anatomical investigation
Authors
Felipe Reinares
Jean-David Werthel
Constantina Moraiti
Philippe Valenti
Publication date
01-10-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 10/2017
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-016-4224-9

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