The frequency of digital artery resection in Morton interdigital neurectomy.
BACKGROUND
Operative strategies used in resecting the digital nerve in Morton neuroma emphasize retaining the digital artery. Concern over inadvertent resection of the digital vessel has prompted many surgeons to avoid adjacent interdigital neurectomies when more than one nerve is affected.


METHODS
The current study examined 674 consecutive pathologic specimens obtained after neurectomy.


RESULTS
The digital vessel was identified along with the resected nerve in 39% of specimens. No adverse effect was recorded from these arterial resections.


CONCLUSIONS
Extensive collateralization of digital vessels is hypothesized to account for the lack of adverse sequelae.
Su
Edwin
E
Orthopaedic Surgery, Foot and Ankle Service Hospital for Special Surgey, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Di Carlo
Edwin
E
O'Malley
Martin
M
Bohne
Walther H O
WH
Deland
Jonathan T
JT
Kennedy
John G
JG
D001158:Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006818:Hyalin; D008022:Ligaments / Q000601:surgery; D037061:Metatarsalgia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009336:Necrosis; D009463:Neuroma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012598:Sclerosis; D014034:Toes / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000294:innervation; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology