Location of the popliteal artery and its relationship with the vascular risk in the suture of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus.

INTRODUCTION The proximity of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to the popliteal artery determines a risk of vascular injury in its suture. The aim of this study is to determine the location of the popliteal artery, and to establish the minimal distance from the posterior wall of the lateral meniscus to the artery, the common peroneal nerve (CPN), and its correlation to other variables. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 102 magnetic resonance studies were retrospectively reviewed from patients undergoing surgery at our institution. The axial section where the lateral meniscus could be clearly defined was selected, and the measurements were performed. RESULTS The artery lay laterally to the midline in 94% of the cases. The minimal mean distance from the posterior wall of the lateral meniscus to the popliteal artery was 1.01cm. (0.32-1.74, SD: 0.304). The minimal mean distance to the CPN was 1.74cm. (0.75-2.87, SD: 0.374). No association was found between the minimal mean distance from the posterior wall to the popliteal artery with the height, weight, BMI, the lateral meniscus diameter, or the tibial plateau diameter. An association was found between the distance from the posterior wall to the CPN with the weight and the BMI. CONCLUSIONS The proximity of the posterior horn to the popliteal artery should be considered when performing sutures. This distance is within the recommended depth for all-inside meniscus repair devices. This distance is not related to height, weight, BMI, lateral meniscus nor tibial plateau diameters.