Prediction Of Palmaris Longus Tendon Length And Thickness Through Simple Anthropometric Measurements

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to test whether palmaris longus tendon (PLT) length and thickness can be predicted from simple anthropometric measurements.

Materials and methods 120 healthy volunteers with bilateral PL muscles were enrolled in this prospective study. PLT length and thickness were measured by ultrasonographic examination. Anthropometric measurements included body height, weight, forearm length, and wrist circumference. Correlation, linear regression, and Bland-Altman plot were used for analysis.

Results The mean PLT length and thickness were 10.8±1.4 cm and 4.0±0.9 mm, respectively. Body height and PLT length had a moderate positive correlation (r:0.407, p:0.001), and forearm length and PLT thickness had a weak positive correlation (r:0.229, p:0.001). The regression analysis showed that body height was the best predictor for PLT length, and forearm length was the best predictor for PLT thickness. The regression equations were as follows: PLT length=0.276+(0.062×height) (r2=0.165, p<0.001) and PLT thickness=1.373+(0.108×forearm length) (r2=0.052, p<0.001). The predicted PLT lengths and thicknesses were calculated using these regression formulas and compared with the actual thicknesses and lengths using the Bland-Altman plot. The upper and lower limits of agreement (95% CI) ranged from -2.54 cm to 2.51 cm for actual PLT length and predicted PLT length and from -1.76 mm to 1.74 mm for actual PLT thickness and predicted PLT thickness in the Bland-Altman plot with a weak agreement and proportional bias.

Conclusions These findings indicate that height and forearm length have limited accuracy in predicting PLT length and thickness. The preoperative ultrasonographic examination can provide valuable assistance, particularly in cases that require grafts with precise length and thickness requirements.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel Ziel dieser Studie war es zu testen, ob Länge und Dicke der Palmaris-longus-Sehne (PLT) anhand einfacher anthropometrischer Messungen vorhergesagt werden können.

Materialien und Methoden 120 gesunde Freiwillige mit bilateralen PL-Muskeln wurden in diese prospektive Studie aufgenommen. PLT-Länge und -Dicke wurden durch Ultraschalluntersuchung gemessen. Anthropometrische Messungen umfassten Größe, Gewicht, Unterarmlänge und Handgelenksumfang. Für die Analyse wurden Korrelation, lineare Regression und Bland-Altman-Diagramm verwendet.

Ergebnisse Die mittlere PLT-Länge und -Dicke betrug 10,8±1,4 cm bzw. 4,0±0,9 mm. Körpergröße und PLT-Länge hatten eine mäßige positive Korrelation (r: 0,407, p: 0,001), und Unterarmlänge und PLT-Dicke hatten eine schwache positive Korrelation (r: 0,229, p: 0,001). Die Regressionsanalyse zeigte, dass die Körpergröße der beste Prädiktor für die PLT-Länge und die Unterarmlänge der beste Prädiktor für die PLT-Dicke war. Die Regressionsgleichungen lauteten wie folgt: PLT-Länge=0,276+(0,062×Höhe) (r2=0,165, p<0,001) und PLT-Dicke=1,373+(0,108×Unterarmlänge) (r2=0,052, p<0,001). Die vorhergesagten PLT-Längen und -Dicken wurden mithilfe dieser Regressionsformeln berechnet und mithilfe des Bland-Altman-Diagramms mit der tatsächlichen Mächtigkeit und Länge verglichen. Die Ober- und Untergrenzen der Übereinstimmung (95%-KI) lagen im Bland-Altman-Diagramm zwischen -2,54 cm und 2,51 cm für die tatsächliche PLT-Länge und die vorhergesagte PLT-Länge und zwischen -1,76 mm und 1,74 mm für die tatsächliche PLT-Dicke und die vorhergesagte PLT-Dicke eine schwache Übereinstimmung und eine proportionale Voreingenommenheit.

Schlussfolgerungen Diese Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass Körpergröße und Unterarmlänge nur eine begrenzte Genauigkeit bei der Vorhersage von PLT-Länge und -Dicke haben. Die präoperative Ultraschalluntersuchung kann eine wertvolle Hilfe sein, insbesondere wenn Transplantate mit genauen Längen- und Dickenanforderungen benötigt werden.

Key words

palmaris longus - tendon graft - anthropometry - ultrasonography - prediction - estimation

Schlüsselwörter

Sehnentransplantation - Anthropometrie - Ultraschall - Vorhersage

Publication History

Received: 02 September 2023

Accepted: 05 December 2023

Article published online:
15 February 2024

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