OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the arterial supply of the coracoid process and to define its possible involvement in complications of Latarjet procedure. METHOD: Five shoulder dissections were performed to highlight the extraosseous blood supply of the coracoid process. Postmortem arteriographies of the upper limb were performed. Diaphanization of a scapula enabled to view its intraosseous blood supply. RESULTS: The vertical part of coracoid process was supplied by supra-scapular artery, and the horizontal part by branches of the axillary artery. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This anatomical study has shown that the coracoid process had its own blood supply. During the Latarjet procedure, vascular sacrifices are mandatory to allow coracoid process transfer to the scapular neck. Such sacrifices could explain lysis or non-union of the coracoid process after Latarjet procedure. Preservation of axillary artery branches supplying horizontal part of the coracoid process could be a possible solution to prevent non-union and lysis of the bone transfer.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the arterial supply of the coracoid process and to define its possible involvement in complications of Latarjet procedure. METHOD: Five shoulder dissections were performed to highlight the extraosseous blood supply of the coracoid process. Postmortem arteriographies of the upper limb were performed. Diaphanization of a scapula enabled to view its intraosseous blood supply. RESULTS: The vertical part of coracoid process was supplied by supra-scapular artery, and the horizontal part by branches of the axillary artery. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This anatomical study has shown that the coracoid process had its own blood supply. During the Latarjet procedure, vascular sacrifices are mandatory to allow coracoid process transfer to the scapular neck. Such sacrifices could explain lysis or non-union of the coracoid process after Latarjet procedure. Preservation of axillary artery branches supplying horizontal part of the coracoid process could be a possible solution to prevent non-union and lysis of the bone transfer.
Authors: Giovanni Di Giacomo; Alberto Costantini; Nicola de Gasperis; Andrea De Vita; Bernard K H Lin; Marco Francone; Mario A Rojas Beccaglia; Marco Mastantuono Journal: J Shoulder Elbow Surg Date: 2011-03-09 Impact factor: 3.019