Talonavicular joint arthroscopic portals: A cadaveric study of feasibility and safety.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The objectives of the study were to evaluate the safety of hypothetical arthroscopic portals from talonavicular joint and to evaluate their reproducibility and enforceability. METHODS: 19 cadaveric feet were marked and four arthroscopic portals were made (medial, dorsomedial, dorsolateral and lateral). The specimens were dissected in layers and the distances between neurovascular structures and the trocars were measured. RESULTS: Medial and dorsomedial portals were in average 8.3 and 8.7, respectively, to the saphenous vein and nerve. Dorsolateral portal was in average 8.1mm to the deep peroneal nerve and dorsalis pedis artery, and 9.1mm to the medial dorsal cutaneous branch of the superficial peroneal nerve. Lateral portal was in average 12.3mm to the intermediate dorsal cutaneous branch of the superficial peroneal nerve. CONCLUSION: Tested portals shown to have a good safety margin for the foot neurovascular deep dorsal structures and an acceptable safety margin for the superficial neurovascular structures.