Please confirm topic selection

Are you sure you want to trigger topic in your Anconeus AI algorithm?

Please confirm action

You are done for today with this topic.

Would you like to start learning session with this topic items scheduled for future?

Updated: Dec 6 2014

Dorsal Approach to Radius (Thompson)

https://upload.orthobullets.com/topic/12011/images/1.jpg
https://upload.orthobullets.com/topic/12011/images/1th.jpg
https://upload.orthobullets.com/topic/12011/images/plane.jpg
https://upload.orthobullets.com/topic/12011/images/plane7.jpg
https://upload.orthobullets.com/topic/12011/images/3.jpg
https://upload.orthobullets.com/topic/12011/images/3th.jpg
Indications
  • Access
    • provides exposure to posterior aspect of the radial shaft
  • Indications
    • ORIF of radial shaft fractures using extensor side of bone
    • access to the PIN as it passes through the arcade of Frohse for
      • nerve paralysis
      • resistant tennis elbow
    • radial osteotomy
    • osteomyelitis and bone tumor resection/biopsy
      
Internervous Plane
  • Proximally between 
    • ECRB (radial nerve)  
    • EDC (pin nerve) 
  • Distally between
    • ECRB (radial nerve)
    • EPL (pin nerve)  
   
Preparation
  • Position
    • place patient supine
      • if arm is abducted to the side on an arm board, the forearm should be pronated
      • if arm is adducted across the chest, the forearm should be supinated
   
Approach
  • Landmarks
    • Proximal
      • lateral epicondyle of the humerus
    • Distal
      • dorsoradial tubercle (Lister's tubercle)
  • Incision
    • starting point is anterior and distal to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus
    • straight or gently curved incision along the dorsolateral aspect of the forearm
    • be aware of superficial radial nerve and cephalic vein distally
    • end incision just distal and ulnar to Lister's tubercle
  • Superficial dissection
    • proximal third
      • incise fascia in line with skin incision using interval between ECRB and the EDC to reveal supinator
    • middle third
      • identify the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) emerging between ECRB and EDC 
    • distal third
      • undermine the APL and EPB tendons medially to identify plane between EPL and ECRB
  • Deep dissection 
    • proximal third
      • identify the insertion of supinator by turning arm into full supination
      • supination moves the PIN away from area of deep dissection 
      • incise insertion of supinator along radius and subperiosteally strip supinator off bone to expose proximal third of radius 
      • for more proximal exposures, two deep approaches exist to protect PIN: 
        • dissecting proximal to distal: 
          • detach origin of ECRB and ECRL from lateral epicondyle and identify and dissect PIN as it enters supinator muscle
        • dissecting distal to proximal: 
          • identify nerve as it exits supinator and dissect it proximally out of supinator substance
    • middle third
      • make incision along superior and inferior borders of APL and EPB
      • retract them off bone to expose middle third of radius
    • distal third
      • separating the ECRB and EPL will directly lead to the lateral border of the radius
      • part of the interosseous membrane may have to be removed to approach the radius
 


 




Dangers
  • Posterior interosseous nerve (branch of radial nerve)
    • injury usually from retraction
    • in 25% of patients the nerve actually touches the dorsal aspect of the radius
    • plates placed high on the dorsal surface may trap the nerve
    • PIN must be identified within the supinator muscle
  • Posterior interosseous artery
    • accompanies the PIN along the interosseous membrane in the proximal 1/3 of radius
 



Question
1 of 1
Private Note