Upper Limb Summary

Surgical Approaches

RegionApproachEponymMuscular (Nerve)Muscular(Nerve)Structures at Risk
ShoulderAnteriorHenryDeltoid (Axillary)Pectoralis major
(medial / lateral pectoral)
Musculocutaneous n.
Cephalic v.
 LateralDeltoid (splitting) (axillary)Deltoid (splitting) (axillary)Axillary n
 PosteriorInfraspinatus (suprascapular)Teres minor (axillary)Axillary n.
Posterior circumflex
humeral a.
Proximal HumerusAnterolateral Deltoid (axillary)Pectoralis major (medial / lateral pectoral)Axillary n.
Anterior circumflex humeral a.
Distal humerusAnterolateral Triceps (radial)
Brachialis (musculocutaneous)
Brachioradialis (radial)Radial n.
LateralTriceps (radial)Brachioradialis (radial)Radial n.
PosteriorTriceps (radial)Radial n.
ElbowAnterolateralHenryBrachialis (musculocutaneous)
Pronator teres
(median)
Brachioradialis (radial)Lateral Antebrachial Cutaneous n.
Radial n.
PosterolateralKocherAnconeus (radial)ECU (PIN)PIN
MedialBrachialis (musculocutaneous)Triceps (radial)
Pronator teres (median n.)
Ulnar n.
ForearmAnteriorHenryBrachioradialis (radial)Pronator Teres / FCR (median)PIN
DorsalThompsonECRB (radial)ED/EPL (PIN)PIN
UlnarECU (PIN)FCU (ulnar)Ulnar n. and a.
WristDorsal Third compartment (PIN)Fourth compartment (PIN) 
ScaphoidVolarRusseFCR or through sheath (median) Radial a.
DorsolateralMatti1st compartment (PIN)3rd compartment (PIN)Superficial radial n.
Radial a.
Upper Limb Surgical Approaches