Arthroscopy of the elbow joint: A cadaveric study of portal placement.

Sixteen fresh cadaver elbows were examined by arthroscopy and dissection to evaluate the usefulness and the anatomic relationships of seven previously described portals for elbow arthroscopy. Most of the examined portals were found to be relatively close to neurovascular structures. The nerves that were found to be located closest to the portals were the posterior antebrachial cutaneous nerve at the direct lateral and antero-lateral portals, the radial nerve at the antero-lateral portal, and the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve at the high and low antero-medial portals. The degree of flexion and fluid distension of the joint were found to influence the position of nerves and vessels in relation to the arthroscopy portals. At least three different portals were found to be required for thorough examination of the elbow joint. The combination of the low postero-lateral, the direct lateral, and the high antero-medial portals provided the largest visualized area.