Classification of the terminal arterial vascularization of the appendix with a view to its use in reconstructive microsurgery.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine the arterial vascularization of the appendix, in order to propose a classification of the different vascular types of the appendix for the realization of free transfer in reconstructive microsurgery.


METHODS
We achieved the removal as a monobloc of the cecum, of a part of the ileum, and the upper colon, then conducted the intra-arterial injection of a mixture composed of minium, and went on to the dissection of 25 specimens of appendix from West Africa. We analyzed the appendicular territory vascularized by the different discovered arteries.


RESULTS
The average length of the appendix was 10.5 cm, ranging from 6.5 to 13.5 cm. The vascularization of the appendix was guaranteed by three arteries: the main appendicular artery, the ceco-appendicular artery and by one or several appendicular accessory arteries. We found five types of vascularization of the appendix according to the number and type of artery needed to guarantee the vascularization of the whole of the appendix including its base.


CONCLUSIONS
It is evident from this study that a detailed analysis of the vascularization of the appendix is necessary before its removal for a reconstructive microsurgery, because in three cases out of four, the transplant must include at least two vessels in order to guarantee the whole of its vascularization.
Ouattara
Djibril
D
Laboratoire d'Anatomie, Université Abidjan Cocody, UFR des sciences médicales, 01 BP V 166, Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire. ouattaradjibril@yahoo.fr
Kipré
Yvan Zunon
YZ
Broalet
Esperance
E
Séri
Fréjuis Gotta
FG
Angaté
Hervé Yangni
HY
Bi N'Guessan
Gabriel Gnanazan
GG
Kassanyou
Salami
S
D000328:Adult; D001065:Appendix / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures