Determining the closest distances from the coracoid base and tip to neurovascular structures in acute high-grade acromioclavicular joint injuries: a cadaveric study

Abstract Background High-grade acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries often require coracoclavicular (CC) stabilization, which increases the risk of neurovascular injury due to coracoid process proximity to vital structures. Previous intact AC joint measurements may have underestimated the surgical r...

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Main Authors: Amornrat Chookliang, Prapakorn Klabklay, Wachiraphan Parinyakhup, Tanarat Boonriong, Korakot Maliwankul, Hafizz Sanitsakul, Trisak Kingchan, Chaiwat Chuaychoosakoon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-02-01
Series:BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08359-8
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author Amornrat Chookliang
Prapakorn Klabklay
Wachiraphan Parinyakhup
Tanarat Boonriong
Korakot Maliwankul
Hafizz Sanitsakul
Trisak Kingchan
Chaiwat Chuaychoosakoon
author_facet Amornrat Chookliang
Prapakorn Klabklay
Wachiraphan Parinyakhup
Tanarat Boonriong
Korakot Maliwankul
Hafizz Sanitsakul
Trisak Kingchan
Chaiwat Chuaychoosakoon
author_sort Amornrat Chookliang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background High-grade acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries often require coracoclavicular (CC) stabilization, which increases the risk of neurovascular injury due to coracoid process proximity to vital structures. Previous intact AC joint measurements may have underestimated the surgical risks of high-grade injuries with altered anatomy. Therefore, this study investigated the distance from the coracoid base and tip to the adjacent neurovascular structures in simulated acute high-grade AC joint injuries. Methods Eight freshly frozen cadaveric specimens, consisting of four male and four female specimens, were subjected to simulated high-grade AC joint injuries via AC capsule and CC ligament transection and deltotrapezial fascia detachment. Closest distances from the coracoid base and tip to the lateral border of adjacent neurovascular structures were measured in the supine, beach chair, and lateral decubitus positions. Results The distance from the coracoid base to the neurovascular structures varied significantly depending on the body position. The supine position provided the greatest distance, reducing the risk of neurovascular injury compared to the beach chair and lateral decubitus positions (p = 0.030 and p < 0.001, respectively). In contrast, the lateral decubitus position had the shortest distance, highlighting an increased risk of neurovascular injury. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the supine position provides the safest approach for minimizing neurovascular injury risk during surgical stabilization of high-grade AC joint injuries. These findings contribute to clinical practice by emphasizing the importance of patient positioning to optimize surgical safety and outcomes. Clinical trial number Not applicable.
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spelling doaj-art-b43e239b8c84401092c926026c98a61d2025-08-20T02:48:26ZengBMCBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders1471-24742025-02-012611610.1186/s12891-025-08359-8Determining the closest distances from the coracoid base and tip to neurovascular structures in acute high-grade acromioclavicular joint injuries: a cadaveric studyAmornrat Chookliang0Prapakorn Klabklay1Wachiraphan Parinyakhup2Tanarat Boonriong3Korakot Maliwankul4Hafizz Sanitsakul5Trisak Kingchan6Chaiwat Chuaychoosakoon7PSU Cadaveric Surgical Training Center, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla UniversityAbstract Background High-grade acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries often require coracoclavicular (CC) stabilization, which increases the risk of neurovascular injury due to coracoid process proximity to vital structures. Previous intact AC joint measurements may have underestimated the surgical risks of high-grade injuries with altered anatomy. Therefore, this study investigated the distance from the coracoid base and tip to the adjacent neurovascular structures in simulated acute high-grade AC joint injuries. Methods Eight freshly frozen cadaveric specimens, consisting of four male and four female specimens, were subjected to simulated high-grade AC joint injuries via AC capsule and CC ligament transection and deltotrapezial fascia detachment. Closest distances from the coracoid base and tip to the lateral border of adjacent neurovascular structures were measured in the supine, beach chair, and lateral decubitus positions. Results The distance from the coracoid base to the neurovascular structures varied significantly depending on the body position. The supine position provided the greatest distance, reducing the risk of neurovascular injury compared to the beach chair and lateral decubitus positions (p = 0.030 and p < 0.001, respectively). In contrast, the lateral decubitus position had the shortest distance, highlighting an increased risk of neurovascular injury. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the supine position provides the safest approach for minimizing neurovascular injury risk during surgical stabilization of high-grade AC joint injuries. These findings contribute to clinical practice by emphasizing the importance of patient positioning to optimize surgical safety and outcomes. Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08359-8Acromioclavicular jointCoracoclavicular ligamentIatrogenic injuryNeurovascular structurePatient positioningStabilization
spellingShingle Amornrat Chookliang
Prapakorn Klabklay
Wachiraphan Parinyakhup
Tanarat Boonriong
Korakot Maliwankul
Hafizz Sanitsakul
Trisak Kingchan
Chaiwat Chuaychoosakoon
Determining the closest distances from the coracoid base and tip to neurovascular structures in acute high-grade acromioclavicular joint injuries: a cadaveric study
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Acromioclavicular joint
Coracoclavicular ligament
Iatrogenic injury
Neurovascular structure
Patient positioning
Stabilization
title Determining the closest distances from the coracoid base and tip to neurovascular structures in acute high-grade acromioclavicular joint injuries: a cadaveric study
title_full Determining the closest distances from the coracoid base and tip to neurovascular structures in acute high-grade acromioclavicular joint injuries: a cadaveric study
title_fullStr Determining the closest distances from the coracoid base and tip to neurovascular structures in acute high-grade acromioclavicular joint injuries: a cadaveric study
title_full_unstemmed Determining the closest distances from the coracoid base and tip to neurovascular structures in acute high-grade acromioclavicular joint injuries: a cadaveric study
title_short Determining the closest distances from the coracoid base and tip to neurovascular structures in acute high-grade acromioclavicular joint injuries: a cadaveric study
title_sort determining the closest distances from the coracoid base and tip to neurovascular structures in acute high grade acromioclavicular joint injuries a cadaveric study
topic Acromioclavicular joint
Coracoclavicular ligament
Iatrogenic injury
Neurovascular structure
Patient positioning
Stabilization
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08359-8
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