AIMTo determine which of the common used incision techniques has the lowest chance of iatrogenic damage to the nerves which at risk are the superficial branch of the radial nerve (SBRN) and the Lateral Antebrachial Cutaneous Nerve (LABCN).METHODSTwenty embalmed arms were dissected and the course of the SBRN and the LABCN in each individual arm was marked and the distance between the two branches of the SBRN at the location of the First Extensor Compartment (FEC) was measured. This data was used as input in a visualization tool called Computer Assisted Anatomy Mapping (CASAM) to map the course of the nerves in each individual arm.RESULTSThis image visualizes that in 90% of the arms, one branch of the SBRN crosses the FEC and one branch runs volar to the compartment. The distance between the two branches was 7.8 mm at the beginning of the FEC and 10.2 mm at the end. Finally the angle of incision at which the chance of damage to the nerves is lowest, is 19.4 degrees volar to the radius.CONCLUSIONCASAM shows the complexity of the course of the SBRN over the FEC. None of the four widely used incision techniques has a significantly lower chance of iatrogenic nerve damage. Surgical skills are paramount to prevent iatrogenic nerve damage.

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Fusion of the carpal bones is a rare anatomical abnormality, caused by a defect in the separation and cavitation during embryonic development. It has a prevalence of about 0.1% and most of the time, patients do not present with symptoms. Symptoms are usually caused by wear and tear of the ligaments attached to the fused carpal fragments. We present a case in which a woman aged 36 years experiences pain caused by a lunato-triquetral instability which in turn is caused by a unilateral complete fusion of the scaphoid and the trapezium. A unilateral complete fusion of the scaphoid and trapezium has not been reported before.

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