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General
intermediate
X-Type

Dorsal (Thompson) Approach to Radius

Surgical Approaches - Forearm

A 35-year-old male requires open reduction and internal fixation of a proximal radius shaft fracture. You plan to use the dorsal (Thompson) approach. The patient is positioned supine with the arm on an arm board. Regarding the Thompson approach to the radius:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

The Thompson approach provides excellent exposure of the proximal two-thirds of the radius; the inte...

B

The posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) is at greatest risk during this approach; it enters the supin...

C

The superficial branch of the radial nerve is the primary nerve at risk; the supinator should be div...

D

Forearm SUPINATION moves the PIN away from the surgical field by positioning the muscle belly of sup...

E

The supinator muscle can be detached subperiosteally from its radial insertion to protect the PIN; t...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option