Vol 70, No 2 (2011)
Original article
Submitted: 2012-06-27
Published online: 2011-06-01
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.
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)
Keywords
distal tibial fractures; anatomy; peroneal vessels
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