title: The arterial supply of the coracoid process.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to describe the arterial supply of the coracoid process and to define its possible involvement in complications of Latarjet procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five shoulder dissections were performed to highlight the extraosseous blood supply of the coracoid process. Postmortem arteriographies of the upper limb were performed. Diaphanization of a scapula enabled to view its intraosseous blood supply.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The vertical part of coracoid process was supplied by supra-scapular artery, and the horizontal part by branches of the axillary artery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This anatomical study has shown that the coracoid process had its own blood supply. During the Latarjet procedure, vascular sacrifices are mandatory to allow coracoid process transfer to the scapular neck. Such sacrifices could explain lysis or non-union of the coracoid process after Latarjet procedure. Preservation of axillary artery branches supplying horizontal part of the coracoid process could be a possible solution to prevent non-union and lysis of the bone transfer.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Anatomie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, 1, rue Gaston Veil, Nantes Cedex, 44035, France. antoine.hamel@chu-nantes.fr
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamel
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hamel
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ploteau
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Robert
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rogez
authors.forename: Mathilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malinge
mesh_terms: D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D012540:Scapula / Q000098:blood supply*; D012782:Shoulder / Q000098:blood supply*