title: A benefit of the volar approach for wrist arthroscopy.
abstract: We reviewed 230 cases of wrist arthroscopy using a volar approach and evaluated its advantage in various wrist disorders. In general, a dorsal approach has been preferred in wrist arthroscopy. The volar approach has been avoided because of the presence of significant structures, such as radial and ulnar arteries, their venae comitantes, median and ulnar nerves, and flexor tendons. However, we can access the wrist joint securely using the volar approach through the tendon sheath of the flexor carpi radialis. Through this approach, we can adequately visualize the dorsal rim fragment of the intra-articular fracture of the distal radius, dorsal synovial proliferation of the rheumatoid wrist, and volar segment tear of the scapholunate and lunotriquetral interosseous ligaments. We had no complications with wrist arthroscopy using the volar approach in 230 patients. The volar approach for wrist arthroscopy is a valuable procedure to evaluate and treat various wrist disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ogori Daiichi General Hospital, Yamaguchi, Japan. HandsurgeonA@aol.com
authors.forename: Yukio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Kazuteru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Doi
authors.forename: Yasunori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hattori
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Vikas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dhawan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000601:surgery; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D002404:Catheterization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000601:surgery*