open access

Vol 70, No 2 (2011)
Original article
Submitted: 2012-06-27
Published online: 2011-06-01
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Lateral approach to the ankle and distal leg

T. Sen, K. Basarir, A.F. Esmer, M. Armangil, E. Tuccar, S.T. Karahan
Folia Morphol 2011;70(2):91-94.

open access

Vol 70, No 2 (2011)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2012-06-27
Published online: 2011-06-01

Abstract

Fractures of the distal tibia are usually high-energy injuries and are well known for their soft tissue complications after surgery. Various factors have been studied regarding the possibility of them reducing the incidence of such damage, including timing of surgery, staged surgery, fixation method, and surgical approach. Less invasive surgical techniques with vascularity preserving approaches were proposed as reasonable solutions to this problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of minor vascular structures, which can be preserved during anterolateral approach, possibly contributing to the success of the approach. Lateral approach for the distal tibia was performed in 22 cadaver feet. The mean distance between the lateral malleolus and the superficial peroneal nerve was 12.2 cm. Two different vascular pedicles, from peroneal vessels to muscles of the anterior compartment, were 4.3 and 8.2 cm away from the lateral malleolus, respectively. We conclude that preserving greater vascularity was possible in the lateral approach for the distal tibia, placing the plate in a completely submuscular plane. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 2: 91–94)

Abstract

Fractures of the distal tibia are usually high-energy injuries and are well known for their soft tissue complications after surgery. Various factors have been studied regarding the possibility of them reducing the incidence of such damage, including timing of surgery, staged surgery, fixation method, and surgical approach. Less invasive surgical techniques with vascularity preserving approaches were proposed as reasonable solutions to this problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of minor vascular structures, which can be preserved during anterolateral approach, possibly contributing to the success of the approach. Lateral approach for the distal tibia was performed in 22 cadaver feet. The mean distance between the lateral malleolus and the superficial peroneal nerve was 12.2 cm. Two different vascular pedicles, from peroneal vessels to muscles of the anterior compartment, were 4.3 and 8.2 cm away from the lateral malleolus, respectively. We conclude that preserving greater vascularity was possible in the lateral approach for the distal tibia, placing the plate in a completely submuscular plane. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 2: 91–94)
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Keywords

distal tibial fractures; anatomy; peroneal vessels

About this article
Title

Lateral approach to the ankle and distal leg

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 70, No 2 (2011)

Article type

Original article

Pages

91-94

Published online

2011-06-01

Page views

509

Article views/downloads

2373

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2011;70(2):91-94.

Keywords

distal tibial fractures
anatomy
peroneal vessels

Authors

T. Sen
K. Basarir
A.F. Esmer
M. Armangil
E. Tuccar
S.T. Karahan

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