Ross M, McKenzie J, Couzens G. The Lister’s tubercle trapdoor: a minimally invasive technique for harvesting cancellous bone from the distal radius. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2020;30(1):179-182. doi:10.1007/s00590-019-02523-2

Bone graft harvest from the distal radius, immediately proximal to the Lister’s tubercle, is a common technique in upper limb surgery. Here, we present a minimally invasive technique to harvest bone graft using a replaceable, well vascularized access trapdoor. The hinged trapdoor technique allows a small incision over Lister’s tubercle and does not violate the fibro-osseous tunnel of the third compartment. Nearby structures like the superficial radial nerve, extensor carpi radialis brevis and extensor pollicis longus are safely protected throughout. Closure of the trapdoor creates a smooth surface and therefore little or no surrounding trauma.