Anatomic and radioanatomic study of the lateral genicular arteries: application to prevention of postoperative hemarthrosis after arthroscopic lateral retinacular release

Arthroscopic lateral retinacular release can be complicated by hemarthrosis in 10 to 18% of cases. The vascular structures involved are the lateral va scular pedicles of the knee. This study examines the topography of these pe dicles, Anatomic and radioanatomic studies carried out in 50 specimens defi ned the route of the vascular pedicles at the lateral aspect of the knee. F rom the measurements carried out, we noted the relative homogeneity of the routes taken by the different proximo-lateral vascular pedicles, which are highly vulnerable, and the variability of the disto-lateral arterial routes . A tracing-paper study identified two distinct routes for the disto-latera l vascular pedicle and evaluated the risk of injury to it in surgical appro aches to the lateral aspect of the knee. Finally, the topographic data of t he study suggest the possibility of preventive hemostasis of the proximo-la teral pedicle via a minimal approach close to the patella, Furthermore, it seems possible to avoid cutting the disto-lateral pedicle if it is localise d by cutaneous trans-illumination at the beginning of the operation.