No abstract

Study the morphology of the superficial branch of the radial nerve (SBRN) of the forearms and wrists of fresh adult human cadavers. Methods: Twenty three dissections were performed under 3.5x loupe magnification, histological sections of the nerve were obtained in 20 dissections for fascicle identification. Results: The SBRN emerged, in average, at 8.65cm proximal to the radial styloid apophysis (RSA) between the Brachioradialis (BR) and Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus (ECRL) tendons. In 6/23 cases the SBRN emerged between an accessory BR tendon and the main BR tendon. The first branch of the SBRN arose at an average of 4.58 cm proximal to the RSA. A branch running across the RSA was found in 7/23 cases. At that level, the average number of branches crossing the wrist was 3.4. A fascicle count of the nerve and its first branch showed an average of 6.6 and 4.0 fascicles, respectively. Conclusion: Our anatomical findings are similar to those in the revised literature and contribute towards a better knowledge of the SBRN. Great caution is required in surgical procedures such as percutaneous bone fixation of the distal 1/3 of the forearm and wrist and particularly, in those susceptible to SBRN injury, as in seven of the 23 cases the SRBN ran directly accross the RSA. The authors recommend performing small longitudinal incisions down to the subcutaneous tissue, separating the nerve branches by blunt soft tissue dissection, with a delicate haemostat, before introducing the Kirschner wires (minimally invasive procedures).

Objetivo: Estudar a anatomia e a histologia do ramo superficial do nervo radial (RSNR) no terço distal do antebraço e punho, através de dissecções em cadáveres. Métodos: Foram dissecadas 23 extremidades com auxílio de lupa de 3,5x para avaliar a distância do ponto de emergência do nervo até a apófise estilóide do rádio (AER); o número de ramos e fascículos em dois pontos distintos de seu percurso e outros achados anatômicos. Cortes histológicos do nervo e suas ramificações, cruzando o punho à mesma altura, foram realizados em 20 dissecções para contagem dos fascículos. Resultados: O ponto de emergência do RSNR entre os tendões do braquiorradial (BR) e o extensor radial longo do carpo (ERLC) foi encontrado em média a 8,65 cm da AER. Em seis casos (6/23) havia um tendão acessório do braquiorradial, com o RSNR emergindo entre este e o seu principal. A primeira ramificação teve origem em média 4,58 cm da AER. Em sete (7/23) casos havia um ramo cruzando o punho diretamente sobre a AER. A média do número de ramos cruzando o punho à altura da AER foi de 3,4. O número médio de fascículos do RSNR no seu ponto de emergência foi de 6,6 e em sua primeira ramificação, de quatro. Conclusão: Os achados anatômicos são semelhantes aos da literatura revisada, difundindo-se melhor conhecimento do RSNR. Há necessidade de extremo cuidado em procedimentos cirúrgicos da região estudada, principalmente naqueles ditos percutâneos que expõem as lesões do RSNR, pois em sete dos 23 casos o RSNR passou diretamente sobre a AER. Os autores recomendam a realização de pequenas incisões longitudinais, com dissecção romba e separação lateral de partes moles até o plano ósseo, antes de introduzir os fios de Kirschner em procedimentos minimamente invasivos. Descritores

Distal interphalangeal joint fusion is usually the surgical treatment for primary or posttraumatic osteoarthrosis when conservative measures fail. All fusion techniques aim for solid fusion with joint chondral resection, bone to bone contact and stable fixation in an adequate position. This is performed with an open dorsal approach considering the risks of soft tissue complications. We describe a technique of resecting bone cartilage and getting stable fixation with 2 mini incisions, 1 lateral and 1 in the digital pulp. Using a digital block anesthesia and under fluoroscopy, a small round burr is introduced into the joint by a lateral joint line stab incision. The joint space is enlarged by manual traction on the finger. After adequate cartilage resection, good bone to bone contact in an adequate position is fixed with a cannulated Herbert screw inserted percutaneously by the finger pulp. We describe 4 cases operated with this technique, 3 for pain and 1 for esthetics. All 4 demonstrated good results and were satisfied. X-rays showed solid fusion in 8 to 12 weeks. There was one complication with skin burning because of the burr heating and the authors describe how to avoid it. Minimally invasive distal interphalangeal joint fusion is a simple, reproducible technique that maintains the important steps for a solid arthrodesis with the advantage of preserving the soft tissue envelope.