title: Original portals for arthroscopic decompression of the suprascapular nerve: an anatomic study.
abstract: Operative treatment of suprascapular nerve entrapment consists of decompression of the nerve, either at the suprascapular notch or the spinoglenoid notch. The aim of this study was to describe new arthroscopic portals to approach these 2 notches at the same time. Twenty shoulders in 10 fresh frozen cadavers were investigated. Four portals were used in line with the scapular spine (S1, S2, S3, S4). The suprascapular pedicle was visualized passing under the supraspinatus muscle. The technique was performed for each specimen. The efficacy and safety of the technique were assessed by open dissection. No injury to the nerve was identified after performing the technique. Decompression was complete in 18 of 20 cases at the suprascapular notch and in all cases at the spinoglenoid notch. With this technique, arthroscopic decompression of the nerve at the suprascapular and spinoglenoid notches is anatomically possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hôpital Universitaire de Bicêtre, and University of Paris-Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicetre, France.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soubeyrand
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Billot
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lortat-Jacob
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gicquelet
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hardy
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002102:Cadaver; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000601:surgery*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D012540:Scapula / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000294:innervation