Abstract：Objective To research the anatomical relationship of the anterior approach of elbow among lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve, the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve and the biceps tendon, to provide a theoretical basis for the anterior approach of elbow.Methods Thirty adult elbow specimens without scar, malformation, tumour and fracture, including 8 fresh frozen and 22 formaldehyded specimens, were dissected. The lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve, the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve and the biceps tendon were observed carefully. Anatomical relationship was measured among the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve, the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve, and the biceps tendon.Results The lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve is adjacent to the biceps tendon, at the radial side of the forearm. The distance between the level of the nerve that passes through the deep fascia and the lateral epicondyle of humerus was (20.5±2.5) mm at the below of lateral epicondyle. The distance between lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve and radial edge of biceps tendon was (12.6±0.9) mm. The distance between the posterior branch of medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve and the ulnar side of biceps tendon was (33.1±2.7) mm at the level of interior epicondyle of humerus. The safe width of the two nerve was about 40 mm.Conclusions The width of the safe area is about 40mm between the lateral and medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve. The biceps tendon is an important anatomical mark. It is a safe method to decrease the injuries of nerve through anterior elbow approach according to the biceps tendon.
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2016, Vol. 21 
