Topographical anatomy of the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve and artery: a cadaver study.
OBJECTIVE
The surgical anatomy of the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve and artery on the dorsal aspect of the hand is important in design of neurocutaneous flaps for reconstructive surgery and serves as a donor site for nerve grafts. In this study, the course, location, and diameter of the dorsal branches of the ulnar nerve and artery were studied from anatomical and reconstructive perspectives.


METHODS
Upper limbs of 14 (7 left and 7 right) and 22 formalin-preserved adult cadavers (15 left and 7 right) were dissected in two different centers.


RESULTS
The diameters of the ulnar nerve, artery, and their dorsal branches were measured at selected reference points. The distances to specific anatomical landmarks were also measured, during their courses from the proximal forearm towards the middle phalanges of the 4th and 5th fingers.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data may facilitate the design of neurocutaneous flaps nourished from the dorsal branches of the ulnar nerve and artery, and may aid in the harvesting of nerve grafts from the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve, and provide a safe surgical approach to the dorsum of the hand.
Cavusoglu
Tarik
T
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale, Turkey. tarikmd@gmail.com
Ozden
Hilmi
H
Comert
Ayhan
A
Yazici
Ilker
I
Acar
Halil Ibrahim
HI
Tellioglu
Ali Teoman
AT
Tekdemir
Ibrahim
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation; D006225:Hand / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017535:Ulnar Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*