Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40259043›Full record

ArticleSurgical and radiologic anatomy : SRA2025

Variation in morphology of the suprascapular nerve and vessels at the suprascapular notch: clinical implications for suprascapular nerve release.

Robert J Heins, Jordan Konstanty, Justine Hemaya, Travis Hodge, Anthony Olinger

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Article in Surgical and radiologic anatomy : SRA, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Robert J HeinsDepartment of Anatomical Sciences, Kansas City University, Kansas City, MO, USA. Robert.Heins@kansascity.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-9772-4163
Jordan KonstantyDepartment of Anatomical Sciences, Kansas City University, Kansas City, MO, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0587-871X
Justine HemayaDepartment of Anatomical Sciences, Kansas City University, Kansas City, MO, USA.
Travis HodgeDepartment of Anatomical Sciences, Kansas City University, Kansas City, MO, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-9214-8390
Anthony OlingerDepartment of Anatomical Sciences, Kansas City University, Kansas City, MO, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThis study aimed to classify variation in morphology of the suprascapular nerve (SSN), suprascapular artery (SSA), and suprascapular vein (SSV) in relation to the superior transverse scapular ligament (STSL) at the suprascapular notch (SN) to evaluate the risk of vascular injury during SSN release.

methodsDissections were performed on 104 shoulders to analyze the morphology of the SSN, SSA, and SSV at the SN. The superior transverse scapular ligament (STSL) was evaluated for dimensions, ossification, and impact on SN morphology. Configurations of the nerve and vessels were categorized, and vascular injury risk was stratified as low, moderate, or high.

resultsThe SSN passed beneath the STSL in 99% of shoulders, while the SSA and SSV configurations varied. Low vascular injury risk was identified in 82% of shoulders, moderate risk in 10.6%, and high risk in 7.4%, with female cadavers demonstrating higher risk anatomy (13.3%) compared to males (2.0%). Ossified STSLs were significantly associated with smaller SN dimensions, including reduced height and width (p < 0.001).

conclusionAnatomical variations at the SN play a critical role in determining the risk of vascular injury during SSN release. Surgeons should consider these morphological differences, particularly in cases involving ossified STSLs or higher-risk configurations, to optimize surgical planning. This study underscores the importance of precise anatomical knowledge for minimizing complications in suprascapular procedures at the SN.

Indexed as

Anatomic VariationScapulaShoulder JointVascular System InjuriesAdultAgedAged, 80 and overCadaverDissectionFemaleHumansLigaments, ArticularMaleMiddle AgedVeinsSuprascapular arterySuprascapular nerveSuprascapular nerve releaseSuprascapular notchSuprascapular vein

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Registered trials

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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.