Axillary nerve position in the anterosuperior approach of the shoulder: a cadaveric study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the distance between the axillary nerve and the antero-lateral (AL) edge of the acromion, its anatomical variability and relationship to humeral length and body height. METHODS: Twenty-two shoulders were dissected. The anterosuperior (AS) approach was used; the deltoid was detached from the acromion and the distance between the AL portion and the axillary nerve was measured and submitted to statistical analysis. RESULTS: The distance varied from 4.3 to 6.4 cm (average 5.32 ± 0.60 cm). The axillary nerve distance increased as the humeral size (p<0.05) and the height of each cadaver increased. However, the correlation with the specimens height was not significant (p=0.24). CONCLUSIONS: The distance between the acromion and the axillary nerve on the AS approach was 5.32 ± 0.60 cm in both shoulders, and increasing the humeral length there is also an increase in the axillary nerve distance. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series - Anatomic Study.