title: Is the Arthroscopic Transillumination Test Effective in Localizing the Superficial Peroneal Nerve?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the transillumination test in showing the position of the superficial peroneal nerve (SPN) to quantify the effectiveness of this test.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospectively, we selected 53 ankle arthroscopy patients (71 patients were excluded because of the invisible SPN). Demographic data including gender, weight, height, and body mass index were recorded. The intraoperative transillumination test was performed during portal establishment and recorded as positive if the SPN was visible via transillumination. The data were analyzed as mean, standard deviation, and percentage. Wilson's method was used as 95% confidence interval for proportion of the positive transillumination test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intraoperative transillumination test was positive in 0 of 53 patients (0%) with 95% confidence interval ranging from 0% to 6.7%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The transillumination test has no value for showing the SPN.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level II, prospective diagnostic study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Thos
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harnroongroj
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Electronic address: chuck003@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Bavornrit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chuckpaiwong
mesh_terms: D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000601:surgery; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014172:Transillumination