Risk of injury to the axillary nerve during antegrade proximal humeral blade nail fixation - an anatomical study.

Introduction: The antegrade intramedullary Locking Blade Nail (Marquardt, Germany) is a device aimed at improving purchase in the humeral head and reducing varus displacement by providing medial buttress support and triangular stability within the humeral head. The aim of this study is to measure the relationship of the proximal fixation screws to the axillary nerve.

Methods: 13 whole cadavers underwent insertion of an antegrade proximal humeral blade nail via a deltoid split approach to both shoulders.