Posterior Ankle Arthroscopy : An Anatomic Study

• Published in: Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume Vol. 84; no. 5; pp. 763 - 769
• Main Authors: Sitler, David F, Amendola, Annunziato, Bailey, Christopher S, Thain, Lisa M.F, Spouge, Alison
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston, MA Copyright by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Incorporated 01-05-2002; Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Incorporated; Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery AMERICAN VOLUME
• Edition: American volume
• Subjects: Ankle Injuries - pathology; Ankle Injuries - physiopathology; Ankle Injuries - surgery; Ankle Joint - pathology; Ankle Joint - physiopathology; Ankle Joint - surgery; Arthroscopy; Arthroscopy - adverse effects; Biological and medical sciences; Endoscopy; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Ligaments, Articular - pathology; Ligaments, Articular - physiopathology; Ligaments, Articular - surgery; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Medical sciences; Osteoarticular system. Muscles; Prone Position - physiology; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Tendons - pathology; Tendons - physiopathology; Tendons - surgery; Tibial Arteries - pathology; Tibial Arteries - physiopathology; Tibial Arteries - surgery; Tibial Nerve - pathology; Tibial Nerve - physiopathology; Tibial Nerve - surgery; Human; Methodology; Lower limb; Anatomy; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; In vitro; Ankle; Accuracy; Arthroscopy; Posterior; Medical imagery; Surgical approach; Endoscopy; Diagnosis; Technique; Cadaver
• ISSN: 0021-9355; 1535-1386
• DOI: 10.2106/00004623-200205000-00010

BackgroundAnkle arthroscopy has generally been performed with use of anterior portals with the patient in the supine position. Little has been published on ankle arthroscopy performed with use of posterior portals, particularly with the patient in the prone position. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relative safety and efficacy of ankle arthroscopy with use of posterior portals with the limb in the prone position.MethodsThirteen fresh-frozen cadaver specimens were used. Posterolateral and posteromedial portals were established. Arthroscopy was performed, and the extent of the talar dome that could be visualized was marked. Four-millimeter plastic cannulae were filled with oil and were placed in the portals for use as reference landmarks on magnetic resonance imaging studies. The proximity of the portal cannulae to the adjacent structures was measured on standard magnetic resonance images and then during careful dissection. The distances measured by dissection were compared with the measurements made on magnetic resonance images.ResultsAn average of 54% (range, 42% to 73%) of the talar dome could be visualized. The average distance between a cannula and adjacent anatomic structures after dissection was 3.2 mm (range, 0 to 8.9 mm) to the sural nerve, 4.8 mm (range, 0 to 11.0 mm) to the small saphenous vein, 6.4 mm (range, 0 to 16.2 mm) to the tibial nerve, 9.6 mm (range, 2.4 to 20.1 mm) to the posterior tibial artery, 17 mm (range, 19 to 31 mm) to the medial calcaneal nerve, and 2.7 mm (range, 0 to 11.2 mm) to the flexor hallucis longus tendon. The magnetic resonance images demonstrated very similar distances except in the case of the distance between the posteromedial cannula and the tibial nerve, which often was difficult to specifically identify on magnetic resonance imaging studies.ConclusionsThe findings of the present cadaveric study suggest that, with the patient in the prone position, arthroscopic equipment may be introduced into the posterior aspect of the ankle without gross injury to the posterior neurovascular structures. Limited clinical trials should be carried out to confirm this finding.