Exposure of the forearm and distal radius
Reviewed by L Robiati

Klausmeyer and Mudgal are a plastic surgeon from Colorado and an orthopaedic surgeon from Boston, respectively, who both specialise in hand surgery. In this article the authors describe the approaches to the forearm and distal radius. They commenced with a short description of the relevant anatomy and then proceed to describe the following individual approaches to the distal radius: Henry’s, Thompson’s, volar, extended volar and dorsal. Each approach is described in a step-wise progression as if you were the surgeon undertaking the operation. This article also highlights the anatomical structures to be aware of and to identify as you dissect down to the radius. Each approach reads very easily and includes some images to help supplement the written description, for example with the volar approach images 3E-H. I feel this article would have benefitted further from inclusion of images for each approach and limiting the radiographs included to the most pertinent ones for demonstrating the indication for the approach being described. In our opinion the cases described at the end of the article are interesting but unfortunately do not add significant educational value to the article content. In summary, the authors succinctly describe the surgical exposures to the forearm and distal radius in the article. Also the chapter highlights the indications and possible complications seen with these approaches. We would recommend this article to surgical trainees who are at the early stages of their training as well to senior trainees who wish a refresher. However, I do wonder what this article adds that is not already described in other textbooks.

Exposure of the forearm and distal radius.
Klausmeyer MA, Mudgal CH.
HAND CLINICS
2014;30(4):427-33.