Abstract

BILATERAL VARIATIONS OF ABDUCTOR POLLICIS LONGUS AND EXTENSOR POLLICIS BREVIS: SURGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Background: Abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) muscles are known to exhibit numerous variations. Aims: We would like to put across an accidental unusual finding of APL and EPB muscles. Materials and Methods: During routine cadaveric dissection of a 52 year old female cadaver, we found an unusual APL and EPB muscles variations bilaterally. Results: Duplication of APL tendon was noted, one showing normal attachment and the additional one on trapezium. EPB muscle had an unusual insertion with one of the tendons of APL muscle going onto the base of the first metacarpal. Conclusion: Such variations are important for clinicians and surgeons while performing surgical decompression of De Quervain’s syndrome.

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