Review of the surgical anatomy of the axillary nerve and the anatomic basis of its iatrogenic and traumatic injury

APAYDIN N., Tubbs R. S., Loukas M., Duparc F.

SURGICAL AND RADIOLOGIC ANATOMY, cilt.32, sa.3, ss.193-201, 2010 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Derleme
  • Cilt numarası: 32 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2010
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s00276-009-0594-8
  • Dergi Adı: SURGICAL AND RADIOLOGIC ANATOMY
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.193-201
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Axillary nerve injury, Deltoid approach, Shoulder arthroscopy, Shoulder dislocation, Humerus fracture, Quadrilateral space syndrome, QUADRILATERAL SPACE SYNDROME, INFERIOR CAPSULAR SHIFT, ROTATOR CUFF TEARS, ANTERIOR DISLOCATION, DELTOID MUSCLE, PROXIMAL HUMERUS, BRACHIAL-PLEXUS, SHOULDER JOINT, ARM POSITION, FRACTURES
  • Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The axillary nerve is invariably reported to be one of the most commonly injured nerves during surgical procedures of the shoulder, and the importance of protecting it cannot be overemphasized. Many researchers have tried to identify safe regions, but the results vary among published studies. The axillary nerve may also be injured during acute trauma to the shoulder or by chronic repeated trauma as has been described in the quadrilateral space syndrome. The nerve injury may occur together with shoulder dislocation and rotator cuff tear, thus comprising the so-called "unhappy triad" of the shoulder joint. Simple attention to potential variations in the origin and course of the axillary nerve and its relationship to the shoulder capsule and having a precise knowledge of "safe zones" during operations can enhance clinical outcomes. The objective of this review, therefore, is to discuss the surgical anatomy of the axillary nerve and further emphasize the clinical importance of the its injury following shoulder trauma.