title: Arterial supply and anastomotic pattern of the infraspinous fossa focusing on the surgical significance.
abstract: The clinical significance of the muscular branch of the circumflex scapular artery (CSA) has been underestimated during surgery involving the scapular osteocutaneous free flap, while the suprascapular artery (SSA) is vulnerable to damage during internal fixation of a scapular fracture. This study aimed to provide navigational guidelines for the positions of the suprascapular and circumflex scapular arteries at the infraspinous fossa and to identify the anastomotic pattern. Scapulae were carefully dissected following injection of liquid silicone into the suprascapular and circumflex scapular arteries. The artery diameters and the distances between landmarks were measured. Scapulae were classified according to the anastomotic morphology of the arteries. The suprascapular and circumflex scapular arteries had mean diameters of 1.7 and 2.1 mm, respectively. The mean horizontal distance from the root of the spine to the suprascapular artery was 90.3 mm, and the mean distance between the suprascapular and circumflex scapular arteries was 45.5 mm. The circumflex scapular artery was positioned along the lateral border at 68.7% from the inferior angle. Practical navigational guidelines for the positions of the suprascapular and circumflex scapular arteries have been provided, with the anastomotic pattern classified into two types and two subtypes. The results of the present study will help reduce donor-site morbidity and damage to these arteries during surgery in the scapular region.
authors: Department of Anatomy, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: shinkj@konkuk.ac.kr.
authors: Kang-Jae
authors: KJ
authors: Shin
authors: Department of Biomedical Laboratory, Masan University, 100 Yongdam-ri, Naeseo-eup, MasanHoiwon-gu, Masan 51217, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jnkim@masan.ac.kr.
authors: Jeong-Nam
authors: JN
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Anatomy, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: veterinarian2@hanmail.net.
authors: Shin-Hyo
authors: SH
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: paikdj@hanyang.ac.kr.
authors: Doo-Jin
authors: DJ
authors: Paik
authors: Department of Anatomy, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: anatomy@kku.ac.kr.
authors: Wu-Chul
authors: WC
authors: Song
authors: Department of Anatomy, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: kskoh@kku.ac.kr.
authors: Ki-Seok
authors: KS
authors: Koh
authors: Department of Anatomy, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: youngchun.gil@gmail.com.
authors: Young-Chun
authors: YC
authors: Gil
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012540:Scapula / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*
keywords: Anastomosis; Circumflex scapular artery; Scapula; Scapular osteocutaneous free flap; Suprascapular artery