Effect of Glenoid Bone Loss and Shoulder Position on Axillary Nerve Anatomy During the Latarjet Procedure

The Latarjet procedure is increasingly being utilized for the treatment of glenoid bone loss and has a relatively high neurological complication rate. Understanding the position-dependent anatomy of the axillary nerve (AN) is crucial to preventing injuries.

To quantify the effects of changes in the shoulder position and degree of glenoid bone loss during the Latarjet procedure on the position of the AN.

Controlled laboratory study.

A total of 10 cadaveric shoulders were dissected, leaving the tendons of the rotator cuff and deltoid for muscle loading. The 3-dimensional position of the AN was quantified relative to the inferior glenoid under 3 conditions: (1) intact shoulder, (2) Latarjet procedure with 15% bone loss, and (3) Latarjet procedure with 30% bone loss. Measurements were obtained at 0°, 30°, and 60° of glenohumeral abduction (equivalent to 0°, 45°, and 90° of shoulder abduction) and at 0°, 45°, and 90° of humeral external rotation (ER).

Abduction of the shoulder to 60° resulted in a posterior (9.5 ± 1.1 mm; P < .001), superior (3.0 ± 1.2 mm; P = .013), and lateral (19.1 ± 2.3 mm; P < .001) shift of the AN, and ER to 90° resulted in anterior translation (10.0 ± 1.2 mm; P < .001). Overall, ER increased the minimum AN-glenoid distance at 30° of abduction (14.9 ± 1.3 mm [0° of ER] vs 17.3 ± 1.5 mm [90° of ER]; P = .045). The Latarjet procedure with both 15 and 30% glenoid bone loss resulted in a superior and medial shift of the AN relative to the intact state. A decreased minimum AN-glenoid distance was seen after the Latarjet procedure with 30% bone loss at 60° abduction and 90° ER (17.7 ± 1.6 mm [intact] vs 13.9 ± 1.6 mm [30% bone loss]; P = .007), but no significant differences were seen after the Latarjet procedure with 15% bone loss.

Abduction of the shoulder induced a superior, lateral, and posterior shift of the AN, and ER caused anterior translation. Interestingly, the Latarjet procedure, when performed on shoulders with extensive glenoid bone loss, significantly reduced the minimum AN-glenoid distance during shoulder abduction and ER. These novel findings imply that patients with substantial glenoid bone loss may be at a higher risk of AN injuries during critical portions of the procedure. Consequently, it is imperative that surgeons account for alterations in nerve anatomy during revision procedures.

This study attempts to improve understanding of the position-dependent effect of shoulder position and glenoid bone loss after the Latarjet procedure on AN anatomy. Improved knowledge of AN anatomy is crucial to preventing potentially devastating AN injuries during the Latarjet procedure.