title: Anatomical evaluation of the superficial veins of the upper extremity as graft donor source in microvascular reconstructions: a cadaveric study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of study was to investigate the features and resources for vein grafts suitable for upper extremity arteries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen upper extremities of 8 cadavers were investigated. Anatomic localizations, diameters, wall thickness and valve types of the superficial veins of the upper extremity were counted and evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average diameter of the brachial artery was 3.96 mm, the radial artery 2.54 mm, the ulnar artery 2.12 mm, the proper palmar digital artery 3 0.85 mm, the cephalic vein of the arm 1.81 mm, the basilic vein of the arm 3.20 mm, the cephalic vein of the forearm 2.04 mm, the basilic vein of the forearm 1.35 mm, and the dorsal venous network of the hand 1.27 mm. Three different types of valves were determined. The most frequent valve types were the Type 3 in the cephalic and basilica veins at 86.5% and 90.7%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data obtained on the superficial veins of the upper extremity may be helpful to surgeons in microsurgical reconstructions.
authors: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Amaç
authors: A
authors: Kiray
authors: Ipek
authors: I
authors: Ergür
authors: Hamid
authors: H
authors: Tayefi
authors: H Alper
authors: HA
authors: Bağriyanik
authors: A Kadir
authors: AK
authors: Bacakoğlu
mesh_terms: D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D055806:Microvessels / Q000601:surgery; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D014019:Tissue Donors; D019737:Transplants; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D014680:Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology*