Elbow/Forearm Approaches Flashcards
position for posterior approach to the elbow
prone
chest and abdomen free
tourniquet
abduct to 90°
sandbag under tourniquet
forearm hanging over table
incision for posterior approach to the elbow
begin 5 cm above olecranon laterally then as you cross the elbow curve medially and down the medial aspect of the ulna
internervous plane for posterior approach to the elbow
none
superficial dissection for posterior approach to the elbow
fascia midline
find ulnar nerve
V osteotomy of the olecranon about 2 cm from its tip with apex distal
deep dissection for posterior approach to the elbow
strip soft tissue from medial and lateral olecranon
retract proximally with triceps
danger for posterior approach to the elbow
1) ulnar nerve must be ID’d
2) median nerve lies anterior to distal humerus
3) radial nerve if you do too far proximal
4) brachial artery lies with median nerve
5) realign olecranon with great care after osteotomy
position for medial approach to the elbow
supine
arm on board in front of patient
elbow flexed at 90°
tourniquet
incision for medial approach to the elbow
8-10cm on the nedial aspect of the elbow centred on the medial epicondyle
internervous plane for medial approach to the elbow
proximally between brachialis and triceps
distally between brachialis and pronator teres
superficial dissection for medial approach to the elbow
palpate ulnar nerve
incise fascia
retract pronator teres anteriorly
expose common flexor origin
develop interval between pronator teres and brachialis (watch for median nerve)
retract ulnar nerve inferiorly
osteotomize the medial epicondyle and reflect distally
deep dissection for medial approach to the elbow
incise the capsule and medial collateral ligament to expose the joint
danger for medial approach to the elbow
1) ulnar nerve
2) median nerve - careful when retracting PT and the flexors
position for anterolateral approach to the elbow
supine
arm board
tourniquet
incision for anterolateral approach to the elbow
curved incision starting on lateral aspect of biceps 5 cm above the flexor crease that crosses to midline then down mid forearm along medial border of brachioradialis
internervous plane for anterolateral approach to the elbow
proximally between brachialis and brachioradialis
distally between brachioradialis and PT
superficial dissection for anterolateral approach to the elbow
ID LCNF
retract medially with medial skin flap
fascia along medial brachioradialis
ID radial nerve beneath it
develop plane between brachialis and brachioradialis
below division of radial nerve develop the plane between brachioradialis and lateral side of pronator teres
ligate recurrent branches of radial artery
retract radial artery medially with PT
deep dissection for anterolateral approach to the elbow
incise joint between radial nerve (lateral) and brachialis (medial)
supinate
incise origin of supinator
deissect subperiosteally just lateral to biceps insertion
danger for antrolateral approach to the elbow
1) radial nerve and its 3 branches in proximal forearm
2) PIN in supinator near neck of radius
3) LCNF - retract with skin medially
4) recurrent branches of radial artery must be ligated to mobilize the brachioradialis
position for anterior approach to the cubital fossa
supine
arm board
tourniquet
incision for anterior approach to the cubital fossa
start along medial border of biceps 5 cm proximal to flexor crease and cruve across cubital fossa to run down the medial aspect of brachioradialis
internervous plane for anterior approach to the cubital fossa
distally between brachioradialis and PT
proximally brachioradialis and brachialis
superficial dissection for anterior approach to the cubital fossa
fascia
ligate vessels
LCNF lies lateral
ID biceps aponeurosis and cut then reflect latrally
ID radial artery, median nerve, brachial artery, brachial vein