title: Approaches to the ankle region.
abstract: This article has attempted to address the surgical realm of the ankle region. With the advent of more interest in treating patients who require atraumatic and corrective surgical procedures of the ankle region, it is mandatory for us to become better trained and to improve our skills and expertise. The points worth summarizing in the surgical approach to the ankle region are a complete anatomic knowledge, basic principles of lines of tension, thorough understanding of biomechanics, and good preoperative judgment. The atraumatic approach was presented by describing how to accomplish this objective--by protecting neurovascular bundles, by following normal skin lines or creases, by avoiding scars over a bony prominence, and by avoiding incisions on a weight-bearing surface. Certain basic anatomic and physiologic principles were stated, such as making incisions large enough, using tourniquets when possible, avoiding excessive and unnecessary dissection, and avoiding stretching, crushing, or allowing tissue to dry. Various approaches for surgical procedures to the ankle region were given. The approaches described the location of the incision, the anatomy to be seen while deepening the wound, and the reason for the surgical procedure.
mesh_terms: D000842:Ankle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005205:Fascia / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008722:Methods; D013639:Tarsal Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013710:Tendons / Q000033:anatomy & histology