Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39311555›Full record

ArticleOperative neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.)2025

Surgical Anatomy of the Supraretinacular Fat Pad: Sensory Innervation and Preservation in Open Carpal Tunnel Release.

Ildefonso Muñoz Romero, Robbert G E Notenboom, Martijn J A Malessy

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Operative neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Ildefonso Muñoz RomeroDepartment of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden , The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-9760-485
Robbert G E NotenboomDepartment of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden , The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-5976-7036
Martijn J A MalessyDepartment of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden , The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0003-1936-3664

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

objectivesPostoperative pain may occur following open carpal tunnel release (OCTR). Various causes have been postulated. During OCTR, adipose tissue located between the palmar aponeurosis and the flexor retinaculum is exposed. It is unknown whether damage to this pad of supraretinacular fat (SRF) might contribute to postoperative palmar pain or tenderness. We studied the sensory innervation of the SRF exposed in OCTR to assess whether SRF damage could potentially generate pain.

methodsA microanatomic dissection of the innervation and vascular supply of the SRF was performed in 25 embalmed human cadaveric upper limbs. Eight fat pads were removed en bloc for histological evaluation. Three-dimensional reconstructions were made based on immunohistochemically stained sections using computer-assisted microscopy.

resultsThe SRF is the radial continuation of the hypothenar fat pad that covers the neurovascular bundle in the Guyon canal. The fat pad is richly innervated and contains Pacinian corpuscles. The sensory innervation originates exclusively from the ulnar nerve (palmar branch) and its vascular supply from the ulnar artery. The integrity of the SRF can be preserved by detaching it from the flexor retinaculum in a radial to ulnar fashion.

conclusionThe SRF, which is exposed during OCTR, is richly innervated by sensory fibers from the ulnar nerve. It is the radialmost extension of the hypothenar fat pad. In view of its rich innervation, damage to the SRF during OCTR might generate postoperative pain. Preserving its integrity during OCTR is technically possible and even simplifies the procedure. Clinical trials are needed to corroborate whether preservation of the SRF during OCTR indeed makes a clinical difference in postoperative pain generation.

Indexed as

Adipose TissueCarpal Tunnel SyndromeAgedAged, 80 and overCadaverFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPostoperative PainUlnar NerveHand anatomyHypothenar fat padNerve of HenleOpen carpal tunnel releasePacinian corpusclePalmar branch ulnar nerveUlnar artery

Identifiers

PMID39311555
PMCPMC11981261

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.