Physicians' viewpoints on faculty anatomists and dissection of human bodies in the undergraduate medical studies.

BACKGROUND: Studies abound regarding the views of faculty anatomists and medical students on the importance of anatomy and the dissection of human bodies, but very little is known about the views of practicing physicians. METHODS: A survey was distributed among physicians and surgeons practicing in Spain in order to find out their views on the practice and consequences of human dissection by undergraduate students of medicine. The most relevant definition to qualify faculty anatomists of medical schools was also requested. Responses were repeatedly clustered into characteristic subgroups for analysis. RESULTS: In total, 536 physicians and surgeons belonging to 36 different specialties in seven Spanish hospitals responded to the survey. The results highlighted two main facts. Firstly, faculty anatomists were perceived as teachers, above any other professional identity (namely: physician, biologist or scientist); nonetheless, the ascription of identities varied between specialties (p=0.009); and it also depended on whether the respondents had dissected in their undergraduate degree (p=0.03) and on the respondent's gender (p=0.03). Secondly, physicians and surgeons confirmed that dissecting human cadavers serves the undergraduate student not only for acquiring anatomical knowledge, but also essential skills and attitudes, including professionalism. CONCLUSIONS: The results strongly suggest that dissection practice should be reinforced and enriched in undergraduate medical school. As this is important in itself, the results of the study could also help with the development of strategies to alleviate the current shortage of adequately trained anatomists for medical degrees.

A Lasso-Loop Traction Technique for Arthroscopic Superior Capsular Reconstruction.

Irreparable rotator cuff tears (RCTs) cause shoulder pain and disfunction. Management of RCT patients has classically been difficult due to few treatment options. Since Mihata et al. in 2013 introduced the superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) technique as a treatment option, it has become widespread among surgeons, especially for young active patients in whom reverse shoulder arthroplasty is not recommended. With SCR, a reduced humeral head can be maintained and superior displacement is avoided, improving shoulder pain and restoring active shoulder motion. A variety of grafts may be used, but the surgery can be technically complicated. An arthroscopic lasso-loop traction technique for SCR is described here, which simplifies graft shoulder reduction by traction from the anteromedial and posteromedial portals.

Combined Double Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and Anterolateral Ligament Reconstruction.

A double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction associated with an anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstructions is performed. The semitendinosus and gracilis are harvested. At knee maximum flexion, the anteromedial (AM) femoral tunnel is performed in the AM footprint area. Through the anterolateral portal, the tip of the outside-in femoral guide is placed in the posterolateral footprint area. The guide sleeve is pushed onto the lateral femoral cortex at the ALL attachment. At 110° knee flexion, the posterolateral-ALL tunnel is performed. The tibial ACL tunnel is performed as usual. The tibial guide is placed between the ALL tibial attachment and the tibial ACL tunnel entrance to perform the ALL tibial tunnel. The gracilis graft is introduced from caudal to cranial, achieving fixation with a 6-mm diameter screw (outside-in). The AM femoral fixation is achieved with a suspension device. ACL tibial graft fixation is achieved with a screw. Afterward, the gracilis is passed under the fascia lata to the tibial entry point. A 6-mm diameter screw is placed from the external cortex into the tibial ALL tunnel. The biomechanical advantage of the double-bundle ACL reconstruction with the biomechanical advantage of the ALL anatomic reconstruction is achieved.

Endoscopic Lesser Trochanter Resection With Refixation of the Iliopsoas Tendon for Treatment of Ischiofemoral Impingement.

Ischiofemoral impingement is a source of hip pain derived from impingement between the lesser trochanter and the ischium. Lesser trochanter excision has been recommended for recalcitrant ischiofemoral impingement through either an anterior or posterior approach. However, neither of these approaches involves refixation of the iliopsoas tendon. We describe an endoscopic procedure involving anterior trochanter-plasty, minimizing the risk of sciatic complications, with refixation of the partially detached iliopsoas tendinous insertion, potentially minimizing compromise to hip flexion strength and anterior hip stability.

Development of the Human Biceps Brachii Tendon and Coracoglenoid Ligament (7th-12th Week of Development).

The goal of this study is to clarify the development of the long head of the biceps brachii tendon (LHBT) and to verify the existence and development of the coracoglenoid ligament. Histological preparations of 22 human embryos (7-8 weeks of development) and 43 human fetuses (9-12 weeks of development) were studied bilaterally using a conventional optical microscope. The articular interzone gives rise to the LHBT, glenoid labrum, and articular capsule. During the fetal period, it was observed that in 50 cases (58%), the LHBT originated from both the glenoid labrum and the scapula, while in 36 cases (42%), it originated only from the glenoid labrum. The coracoglenoid ligament, first described by Sappey in 1867, is a constant structure that originates at the base of the coracoid process and projects toward the glenoid labrum zone, which is related to the origin of the LHBT. The coracoglenoid ligament was more easily identifiable in the 36 cases in which the LHBT originated only from the glenoid labrum. We suggest that the coracoglenoid ligament is a constant anatomical structure, is not derived from the articular interzone unlike the LHBT, and contributes to the fixation of the glenoid labrum in the scapula in cases in which the LHBT originated only from the glenoid labrum. We postulate that, when the LHBT is fixed only at the glenoid labrum, alterations in the coracoglenoid ligament could lead to a less sufficient attachment of the glenoid labrum to the scapula which could predispose to a superior labral lesion.

Pectoralis major transfer for subscapular deficiency: anatomical study of the relationship between the transferred muscle and the musculocutaneous nerve.

PURPOSE: Pectoralis major transfer is indicated for irreparable subscapularis tendon tears. One surgical option is transferring the sternal part of the pectoralis major to the humeral insertion of the subscapularis under the conjoined tendon of the coracobrachialis and biceps muscles. The purpose of this study is to define the anatomical relationship between the transferred tendon and the musculocutaneous nerve. METHODS: In 52 cadaveric fresh-frozen shoulders, the relevant structures were dissected and a pectoralis major transfer was performed. The relationship between the transferred tendon, the musculocutaneous nerve branches distally and the coracoid process proximally was examined. Measurements were taken at the conjoined tendon level. RESULTS: The distance between the coracoid process and the most proximal musculocutaneous nerve branch was 54.2 ± 33.2 mm. In 25 cases (48%), the transferred tendon passed freely between both structures. In 16 cases (31%), there was contact distally with the musculocutaneous nerve. In 11 cases (21%), there was contact both proximally with the coracoid process and distally with the musculocutaneous nerve, making a safe transfer impossible. CONCLUSIONS: When performing a pectoralis major transfer, it is essential to identify the musculocutaneous nerve and its branches. In some cases, a subcoracobicipital transfer may not be feasible and a more superficial transfer should be considered.