E C Gryler1, P E Greis, R T Burks, J West. 1. Department of Orthopedics, the University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, U.S.A. patrick.greis@hsc.utah.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the temperatures along the course of the axillary nerve during radiofrequency (RF) capsulorrhaphy of the shoulder in a cadaver model. The hypothesis of this project was that temperatures capable of damaging neural tissue would be recorded during simulated RF capsulorrhaphy. TYPE OF STUDY: Basic science evaluation. METHODS: This study used 9 fresh-frozen cadaver shoulder capsules removed en bloc along with the underlying axillary nerve and soft tissue. The axillary nerve was instrumented with 4 thermocouples placed along the course of the nerve (2 thermocouples anterior and 2 posterior to the 6 o'clock position, spaced 7 mm apart). Each of the specimens underwent RF thermal capsulorrhaphy during which the temperature at each of the thermocouple positions was continuously recorded. RESULTS: The average of the maximum temperature at each of the 4 positions measured along the course of the axillary nerve were 52.2 +/- 18.0 degrees C at the most anterior place probed, 45.8 +/- 5.44 degrees C (mid anterior), 44.5 +/- 8.7 degrees C (mid posterior), and 42.8 +/- 10.1 degrees C at the most posteriorly positioned probe. Two specimens had a maximum temperature greater than the 67 degrees C set point of the device, and 7 specimens had a maximum temperature greater than 45 degrees C in at least 1 thermocouple position. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that heating of the axillary nerve can occur during RF capsular shrinkage of the shoulder and may potentially reach levels that can damage neural tissue.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the temperatures along the course of the axillary nerve during radiofrequency (RF) capsulorrhaphy of the shoulder in a cadaver model. The hypothesis of this project was that temperatures capable of damaging neural tissue would be recorded during simulated RF capsulorrhaphy. TYPE OF STUDY: Basic science evaluation. METHODS: This study used 9 fresh-frozen cadaver shoulder capsules removed en bloc along with the underlying axillary nerve and soft tissue. The axillary nerve was instrumented with 4 thermocouples placed along the course of the nerve (2 thermocouples anterior and 2 posterior to the 6 o'clock position, spaced 7 mm apart). Each of the specimens underwent RF thermal capsulorrhaphy during which the temperature at each of the thermocouple positions was continuously recorded. RESULTS: The average of the maximum temperature at each of the 4 positions measured along the course of the axillary nerve were 52.2 +/- 18.0 degrees C at the most anterior place probed, 45.8 +/- 5.44 degrees C (mid anterior), 44.5 +/- 8.7 degrees C (mid posterior), and 42.8 +/- 10.1 degrees C at the most posteriorly positioned probe. Two specimens had a maximum temperature greater than the 67 degrees C set point of the device, and 7 specimens had a maximum temperature greater than 45 degrees C in at least 1 thermocouple position. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that heating of the axillary nerve can occur during RF capsular shrinkage of the shoulder and may potentially reach levels that can damage neural tissue.
Authors: Alison P Toth; Russell F Warren; Frank A Petrigliano; David A Doward; Frank A Cordasco; David W Altchek; Stephen J O'Brien Journal: HSS J Date: 2010-11-11