The distributed pattern of the neurovascular structures around clavicle to minimize structural injury in clinical field: anatomical study

The Free Distal Clavicle Osteochondral Flap: Cadaveric Dissection and Case Report to Introduce a Novel Technique

Vascularized osteochondral flap reconstruction is an innovation with several potential benefits, but there are limited described autologous donor site options. This study explores the distal clavicle as a viable donor site for vascularized free osteochondral tissue transfer. Cadaveric dissection was performed in which a 39-year-old male with a comminuted fracture of the right distal humerus underwent open reduction and internal fixation. The patient later presented with avascular necrosis of the lateral column of the distal humerus and right trochlea and underwent reconstruction of the distal humerus with iliac crest bone graft and vascularized free osteochondral transfer of the distal clavicle. The distal clavicle was harvested with its periosteum and a small muscle cuff based on the acromial branch of the thoracoacromial system. The authors report a novel technique for distal clavicle osteochondral flap harvest and present a case in which the technique was used successfully in complex elbow reconstruction.

Efficacy of intramedullary bridge fixation for midshaft clavicle fractures: a retrospective analysis of a novel technique

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of a novel intramedullary fixation technique using the ortho-bridge system (OBS) for midshaft clavicle fractures.

METHODS

A total of 63 patients were included in this study: 35 underwent plate internal fixation (LP group) and 28 underwent OBS intramedullary fixation (OBS group). Surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, fracture healing time, removal of the internal fixation agent, visual analog scale (VAS) score for shoulder pain, Constant-Murley shoulder score and complication occurrence were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Preoperative general data, such as sex, age and fracture type, were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, the OBS group exhibited better outcomes than the LP group exhibited in terms of surgical time, intraoperative blood loss and total incision length (P < 0.05). Additionally, the OBS group exhibited a significantly shorter fracture healing time and internal-fixation removal time than the LP group exhibited (P < 0.05). The VAS scores on postoperative day 1, week 1, month 1 and month 3 were lower in the OBS group than in the LP group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the Constant-Murley shoulder scores at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively were higher in the OBS group than in the LP group (P < 0.05), with no significant difference at 1 year after surgery (P > 0.05). None of the patients in the OBS group experienced scarring of the surgical incision, and 6 patients in the LP group experienced scarring of the surgical incision. Finally, the complication incidence in the OBS group was lower than that in the LP group.

CONCLUSION

For midshaft clavicle fractures, OBS intramedullary fixation is better than locking-plate internal fixation because it led to less trauma, a faster recovery, better efficacy, and better esthetic outcomes and comfort. Therefore, this technique may have potential as a novel treatment for midshaft clavicle fractures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III, retrospective observational study.

The relationship between the subclavian vessels and brachial plexus and the overlying clavicle: Anatomical study with application to plate osteosynthesis

A subclavian artery aneurysm after clavicle fracture and plate osteosynthesis in a suspected case of a screw that was too long led us to investigate body donor cadavers. The aim was to verify clavicle variability, and the course of the neurovascular bundle in relation to the clavicle and to the osteosynthesis plate, in order to clarify safe zones for plate and screw fixation. We used one fresh frozen and 25 embalmed donors for in situ measurements: (1) length and craniocaudal thickness of the clavicle, (2) distances between the sternal end of the clavicle and the center of parts of the neurovascular bundle. The clavicle was 15.15 cm long. The mean distances from the sternal end of the clavicle were 5.62 cm to the subclavian vein, 6.75 cm to the subclavian artery and 8.42 cm to the cords of the brachial plexus. The subclavius muscle was 1 cm thick. Because of sex differences in length and distances, we recorded the distances between the sternal end and parts of the neurovascular bundle as ratios of clavicle length (at-risk area) to provide sex-independent parameters: 0.379 for the vein, 0.449 for the artery and 0.554 for the nerve. The neurovascular bundle runs below the clavicle between the medial fourth and three fifths of clavicle length. To avoid iatrogenic neurovascular injuries, special caution is necessary during drilling and screwing the osteosynthesis. We also recommend using screws shorter than 1.4 cm.

Incisional paresthesia following clavicle plate fixation: does it matter to patients?

Background

Operative management of clavicle fractures is increasingly common. In the context of explaining the risks and benefits of surgery, understanding the impact of incisional numbness as it relates to the patient experience is key to shared decision making. This study aims to determine the prevalence, extent, and recovery of sensory changes associated with supraclavicular nerve injury after open reduction and plate internal fixation of middle or lateral clavicle shaft fractures.

Methods

Eighty-six patients were identified retrospectively and completed a patient experience survey assessing sensory symptoms, perceived post-operative function, and satisfaction. Correlations between demographic factors and outcomes, as well as subgroup analyses were completed to identify factors impacting patient satisfaction.

Results

Ninety percent of patients experienced sensory changes post-operatively. Numbness was the most common symptom (64%) and complete resolution occurred in 32% of patients over an average of 19 months. Patients who experienced burning were less satisfied overall with the outcome of their surgery whereas those who were informed of the risk of sensory changes pre-operatively were more satisfied overall.

Conclusions

Post-operative sensory disturbance is common. While most patients improve, some symptoms persist in the majority of patients without significant negative effects on satisfaction. Patients should always be advised of the risk of persistent sensory alterations around the surgical site to increase the likelihood of their satisfaction post-operatively.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-021-04770-z.

The injection site in the tarsal tunnel to minimize neurovascular injury for heel pain: an anatomical study

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to investigate the location and distribution patterns of neurovascular structures and determine the effective injection point in the tarsal tunnel for heel pain.

METHODS

Fifteen adult non-embalmed cadavers with a mean age of 71.5 years were studied. The most inferior point of the medial malleolus of the tibia (MM) and the tuberosity of the calcaneus (TC) were identified before dissection. A line connecting the MM and TC was used as a reference line. The reference point was expressed in absolute distance along the reference line using the MM as the starting point. For measurements using MRI, the depth from the skin was measured to inferior at an interval of 1 cm from the MM.

RESULTS

The posterior tibial artery, lateral plantar nerve, and medial plantar nerve were located from 29.0 to 37.3% of the reference line from the MM. The distribution frequencies of the medial calcaneal nerve on the reference line from the MM were 0%, 8.60%, 37.15%, 37.15%, and 17.10%, respectively. The mean depth of the neurovascular structures was 0.3 cm.

DISCUSSION

This study recommended an effective injection site from 45.0 to 80.0% of the reference line.