AANA19 Foot & Ankle Access Pass-Does Patient Positioning and Portal Placement for Arthroscopic Subtalar Arthrodesis Matter

Does Patient Positioning and Portal Placement for Arthroscopic Subtalar Arthrodesis Matter_-Dr. Alan G. Shamrock, M.D.

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Alan Shamrock, a second-year resident, presented a systematic review on patient positioning and arthroscopic portal placement in subtalar fusion. Subtalar arthrodesis treats joint diseases with arthroscopic techniques evolving from lateral or supine positions with lateral portals to prone positions using posterior portals. Reviewing 20 studies with 468 patients showed an overall 95.8% fusion rate and improved outcomes. Complication rates were similar across positioning groups, but prone positioning with two posterior portals had a higher nonunion rate than lateral approaches. Contrary to expectations, neurovascular injury rates did not differ by position. Limitations include study heterogeneity and lack of demographic data, suggesting the need for further research.

Keywords

subtalar fusion

arthroscopic portal placement

patient positioning

prone vs lateral position

fusion rate outcomes