Anatomical variations of the first extensor compartment affecting surgery in de Quervain’s disease.
Date
1988-11
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
151 wrists of Thai cadavers were dissected to determine the anatomical variations of tendons of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis muscles as they lie in the first extensor compartment of the wrists. Such variation involves division of the abductor pollicis longus tendon and the extensor pollicis brevis tendon. Additionally, the main compartment is usually divided into two sub-compartments by a fibrous septum, one for the abductor pollicis longus and its accessory tendons (one to five tendons), the other for the extensor pollicis brevis and one accessory tendon. Septation varied involving the distal one-third to the entire compartment. The abductor pollicis longus has only tendon that inserts into the base of the first metacarpal; the accessory tendon inserts upon the dorsal surface of the base of the distal phalanx of the thumb.
Therefore, in the surgical decompression for de Quervain’s disease, the recognition of the presence of these tendons and in particular the presence or absence of a separate osteo-fibrous compartment is of great importance. In addition knowledge of the location of their insertions should be useful for transfer procedures.
Description
Keywords
First extensor compartment, De quervain’s disease
Citation
Ratanalekha Rosarin, Chanjarunee Aporn. Anatomical variations of the first extensor compartment affecting surgery in de Quervain’s disease. Siriraj Medical Journal, 1988 Nov; 40(11): 837-843.