Percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation through the snuff box: an anatomic study

Abstract

We undertook this study to better define the anatomy of the radial aspect of the wrist and to establish a zone of safety for the placement of Kirschner wires, cannulated screws, and arthroscopes within the anatomic snuff box. Twenty fresh frozen cadaver upper extremities underwent placement of three percutaneous Kirschner wires under fluoroscopic guidance through the anatomic snuff box. In each extremity, one Kirschner wire was placed into the radial styloid, one across the scaphocapitate joint, and one across the scapholunate joint. A safe zone of mean 0.68 sq cm was found deep to the subcutaneous tissue bordered by the radial styloid, the first dorsal compartment, the radial artery, and the superficial radial nerve. Kirschner wires placed distal, dorsal, or palmar to the borders of the safe zone were at great risk of injuring neurovascular structures. To minimize the risk of injury to adjacent structures, we advise a limited incision in the safe zone with blunt dissection to the wrist capsule. Though improved anatomic understanding, we established a new location for the arthroscopic 1,2 portal within the snuff box.