Measurement and analysis of the perforator arteries in upper extremity for the flap design.
The aim of this study was to provide the anatomical basis for the skin flap pedicled with the nutrient vessels of the cutaneous nerves and cutaneous veins of the upper extremity. Radio-opaque material was injected into the common carotid arteries of five fresh cadavers. The skin and the fascia were meticulously dissected, removed, and radiographed. The Photoshop CS and Scion image 4.02 were used to analyze the cutaneous arteries, the density of vessels, and the vascular territories of the perforator arteries. The results showed that the cutaneous arteries of the upper extremity came from 16 original arteries, and accordingly, the superficial tissue of the upper extremity could be divided into 16 vascular territories. The external diameter and the area of blood supply of each perforator were growing downwards from the proximum to the distal end. But the points at which the perforator arteries came out from the deep tissue were concentrated near the cutaneous nerves and cutaneous veins, and the arteries formed vascular chains. The density of the arteries near the cutaneous nerves and cutaneous veins was much higher than that of other areas. This article discussed the regularity of the nutrient vessels of the cutaneous nerves and veins on the basis of the experimental results.
Chen
Sheng-hua
SH
Department of Anatomy, Southern Medical University, 510515 Guangzhou, China. chenshenghuaa@163.com
Xu
Da-chuan
DC
Tang
Mao-lin
ML
Ding
Hong-mei
HM
Sheng
Wei-chao
WC
Peng
Tian-hong
TH
D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D002102:Cadaver; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D017535:Ulnar Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery