Proximity of the axillary nerve during bicortical drilling for biceps tenodesis

Abstract

This study highlights the need for caution when drilling the posterior humeral cortex during biceps tenodesis, particularly during drilling at the superior insertion of PM as this is the location that poses the highest risk to the axillary nerve. To our knowledge, this is the first cadaveric study to radiologically assess the proximity of the axillary nerve to the positions of biceps tenodesis. Surgeons should therefore be cautious when performing bicortical drilling for biceps tenodesis, and a supero-lateral drill trajectory would pose a smaller risk to the axillary nerve.