Introduction: Arthroscopy is a well-established diagnostic medium and treatment plan for various
orthopaedic conditions in veterinary medicine. The purpose of this study was to describe
the relationship of canine shoulder arthroscopy portals to major muscular, ligamentous,
and neurovascular structures for anatomical and safety considerations.
Materials and Methods: Arthroscopic exploration of 20 adult mixed breed canine cadaver shoulders was performed.
Each shoulder region was then dissected layer-by-layer to the level of the joint.
The distance was measured from each portal to neurovascular structures encountered
during dissection.
Musculotendinous and cartilaginous lesions associated with each portal were also documented.
Results: The pertinent neurovascular structures identified were the omobrachial vein, branches
of the caudal circumflex humeral artery, axillobrachial artery and vein, and branches
of the axillary nerve. The omobrachial vein was the only neurovascular structure damaged
in any of the specimens. Muscular lesions included the deltoideus, omotransversarius,
supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor. Muscular lesions were associated with
all portals. The instrument portal was responsible for the largest number of muscular
lesions. The lateral glenohumeral ligament was identified between the instrument and
arthroscopic portals and had lesions in 12 shoulders. Iatrogenic cartilage lesions
were identified on the caudal humeral head and the glenoid in association with the
instrument and scope portals.
Discussion/Conclusion: This study supports the safety of a lateral shoulder arthroscopy in the dog. The
majority of local neurovascular structures are unaffected with traditional scope portal
positions.
Musculotendinous lesions are unavoidable due to the extensive muscling surrounding
the shoulder, but are unlikely to cause severe complications postoperatively.
Acknowledgements: No proprietary interest or outside funding was provided for this project.
