Anterocentral Portal in Ankle Arthroscopy

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Procedures
• Anatomy

Background:

• The anterocentral portal for anterior ankle arthroscopy is not standard due to neurovascular proximity.
• It offers a wide view and may reduce the need for portal changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate neurovascular complications associated with the anterocentral portal in anterior ankle arthroscopy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 101 patients (105 arthroscopies) from 2013-2018 using the anterocentral portal.
• Clinical follow-up included examination, deep peroneal nerve sensory testing, and ultrasonography.

Main Results:

• Overall complication rate was 7.6%; 1.9% were portal-related neurovascular injuries (superficial peroneal nerve branch, deep peroneal nerve).
• No major complications or anterior tibial artery injuries occurred.
• Ultrasonography confirmed nerve and artery integrity in all patients.

Conclusions:

• Anterocentral portal use in ankle arthroscopy is safe with a low incidence of neurovascular injury.
• It can be recommended as a standard portal, potentially avoiding the higher injury rates of the anterolateral portal.