Objective To provide the anatomic bases for clinical application of the second dorsal metacarpal artery(SDMA) island flap with double pivot points. Methods The origin,branches and distribution of the recurrent cutaneous branch of the SDMA were observed in 30 adult fresh cadaver specimens, which were illustrated with special dye.Eighteen cases of skin defets of the thumb were repaired with the SDMA island flap. The defect locations were the dorsal part in 11 cases and palmar part in 7 cases, including 3 cases of defect in association with long pollical extensor defect and 2 cases of defect in association with dorsal skin defect of proximal finger. The flap area ranged from 2 cm×3 cmto 3 cm×5 cm. Results The appearance of therecurrent cutaneous branch of the SDMA was observed in all cases(100%), which originated 0.5±0.2 cm distant from the distal intersectiones between the SDMA and the index extensor and disappeared 1.2±0.5 cm distant from the proximal metacarpophalangeal joint. The branches of 1.7±0.7 were seen with a longitudinal fan-like distributionforward proximal part on the deep surface of the dorsal superficial vein. The exradius and the length of the recurrent cutaneous branch of the SDMA were 0.3±0.1 mm and 6.5±0.8 mm, respectively. The transplanted flaps survived in all cases and 16 cases were followed up for 8-14 months. The colour and appearance of the skin were satisfactory. The two-point discriminations were 0.9 mm in 3 cases by bridging digital nerve and 1.1 mm in 9 cases by anastomosing dorsal digital nerve; while the two-point discrimination was 13-15 mm in 4 cases without anastomosing nerve. Conclusion The origin,branches and distribution of the recurrent cutaneous branch of the SDMA is constant, which provide a potentially longer pedicle and increase the possibility to rotate the flap and also avoid the donor skin defect of rotation of the flap.
Objective To investigate the variation of supratrochlear vein and its relationship with supratrochlear artery and to provide anatomical basis for the reduction of congestive necrosis of paramedian forehead flap in the reconstruction of nasal defect. Methods Twenty sides of 10 antiseptic head specimens were anatomized macroscopically and microscopically. Using the horizontal and anterior median l ine of supraorbital rim as X and Y axis to locate supratrochlear vein and artery, the angles between the supratrochlear artery and vein and the supraorbital rim were detected, and the distances from the supratrochlear artery and vein to the anterior median l ine on the horizontal l ine of supraorbital rim were measured. Results The distance from the supratrochlear artery and supratrochlear vein to the anterior median l ine on thehorizontal l ine of the supraorbital rim was (16.2 ± 2.1) mm and (9.7 ± 3.1) mm, respectively, indicating there was a significant difference (P lt; 0.05). The angle between the supratrochlear vein and artery and the supraorbital rim was (83.3 ± 6.4)° and (80.5 ± 4.2)°, respectively, indicating there was no significant difference (P gt; 0.05). Two asymmetric supratrochlear veins were observed around the area of anterior median l ine in every specimen, one was far from the anterior median l ine (group A) and the other was close to or even on the l ine (group B). The distance from the supratrochlear veins to the anterior median l ine on the horizontal l ine of the supraorbital rim was (11.0 ± 1.9) mm in group A and (7.9 ± 3.2) mm in group B, showing there was a significant difference between two groups (P lt; 0.05). For all the specimens, the supratrochlear vein ran laterally along the medial anterior median l ine of the supratrochlear artery (one side was just on the anterior median l ine). The distance from the supratrochlear veins to the supratrochlear arteries on the horizontal l ine of the supraorbital rim was (6.6 ± 3.2) mm, (5.5 ± 2.0) mm in group A and (7.9 ± 3.9) mm in group B, indicating the difference between two groups was significant (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The pedicle of the paramedian forehead flap should be wide enough (1.5-2.0 cm), the lateral boundary of the pedicle should be the supratrochlear artery while the medial boundary should be the supratrochlear vein.
Objective To investigate the blood supply of the ulnar nerve in the elbow region and to design the procedure of anterior transposition of ulnar nerve accompanied with arteries for cubital tunnel syndrome.Methods The vascularity of the ulnar nerve was observed and measured in20adult cadaver upper limb specimens. And the clinical surgical procedure was imitated in 3 adult cadaver upper limb specimens. Results There were three major arteries to supply the ulnar nerve at the elbow region: the superior ulnar collateral artery, the inferior ulnar collateral artery and the posterior ulnar recurrent artery. The distances from arterial origin to the medial epicondyle were 14.2±0.9, 4.2±0.6 and 4.8±1.1 cm respectively. And the total length of the vessels travelling alone with the ulnar nerve were 15.0±1.3,5.1±0.3 and 5.6±0.9 cm. The external diameter of the arteries at the beginning spot were 1.5±0.5, 1.2±0.3 and 1.4±0.5 mm respectively. The perpendicular distance of the three arteries were 1.2±0.5,2.7±0.9 and 1.3±0.5 cm respectively.Conclusion It is feasible to perform anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve accompanied with arteries for cubital tunnel syndrome. And the procedure preserves the blood supply of the ulnar nerve following transposition.
ObjectiveTo determine the entry point and screw implant technique in posterior pedicle screw fixation by anatomical measurement of adult dry samples of the axis so as to provide a accurate anatomic foundation for clinical application. MethodsA total of 60 dry adult axis specimens were selected for pedicle screws fixation. The entry point was 1-2 mm lateral to the crossing point of two lines: a vertical line through the midpoint of distance from the junction of pedicle medial and lateral border to lateral mass, and a horizontal line through the junction between the lateral border of inferior articular process and the posterior branch of transverse process. The pedicle screw was inserted at the entry point. The measurement of the anatomic parameters included the height and width of pedicle, the maximum length of the screw path, the minimum distance from screw path to spinal canal and transverse foramen, and the angle of pedicle screw. The data above were provided to determine the surgical feasibility and screw safety. ResultsThe width of upper, middle, and lower parts of the pedicle was (7.35±0.89), (5.50±1.48), and (3.97±1.01) mm respectively. The pedicle height was (9.94±1.16) mm and maximum length of the screw path was (25.91±1.15) mm. The angle between pedicle screw and coronal plane was (26.95±1.88)° and the angle between pedicle screw and transverse plane was (22.81±1.61)°. The minimum distance from screw path to spinal canal and transverse foramen was (2.72±0.83) mm and (1.98±0.26) mm respectively. ConclusionAccording to the anatomic research, a safe entry point for C2 pedicle screw fixation is determined according to the midpoint of distance from the junction of pedicle medial and lateral border to lateral mass, as well as the junction between the lateral border of inferior articular process and the posterior branch of transverse process, which is confirmed to be effectively and safely performed using the entry point and screw angle of the present study.
Objective To provide the anatomic basis for the posterior urethral repair via the perineal approach. Methods The anatomicconstructions andtheir relationships of the perineal approach from skin to the membranous and prostate apical urethra were observed and some related data were measured in 12 adult male specimens by microanatomy, and the procedures of urethral repair via the perineal approach were carried out in 3 fresh male specimens. Results All the blood vessels and nerves, which supplied the scrotum, the perineum, and bulbourethra, passed lateral-medially. The cavernous nerves coursed posterolaterally from the bottom to the apex of the prostate, pierced the urogenital diaphragm and passed laterally to themembranous urethra in a status of gridding, whose width was (12.11±2.32) mm.Conclusion The structures of the perineum and around the posterior urethra are complicated. The strategy for diminishing the damages to them is that all structures must be dissected strictly in the midline. Confining the dissections strictly to the range of 5 mm from the membranous urethra and resecting the apical prostatic tissues anterolaterally could avoid impairments of the cavernous nerves.
ObjectiveTo understand the location characteristics of the lumbosacral autonomic nerve plexus and the morphological changes so as to provide the anatomic theoretical basis for the protection of autonomic nerve during the lower lumbar anterior approach operation. MethodsA random anatomic investigation was carried out on 19 formalin-treated adult cadavers (15 males and 4 females; aged 44-78 years, mean 64 years). The anterior median line (connection of suprasternal fossa point and the midpoint of the symphysis pubis) was determined, and the characteristics of abdominal aortic plexus (AAP), inferior mesenteric plexus (IMP), and superior hypogastric plexus (SHP) were observed. The relationship between the autonomic nerve and the anterior median line was measured and recorded. ResultsAPP and IMP were found to be located chiefly in front of the abdominal aorta in a reticular pattern, and the nerve fibers of the two nerve plexuses were more densely at the left side of abdominal aorta than at the right side. Superior hypogastric plexus showed more distinct main vessel variations, including 4 types. The main vessel length of the SHP was (59.38±12.86) mm, and the width was (11.25±2.92) mm. The main vessels of SHP were mainly located at the left side of the ventral median line (10, 52.6%) and anterior lumbar vertebra (13, 68.4%). The main vessels extended down to form the left and right hypogastric nerves. ConclusionIt is applicable to expose the nerve from the right side of centrum and move the autonomic nerve and blood vessel as a whole during anterior lower lumbar operation. In this way, the dissection to separate nerve plexus is not needed, thus nerve injury can be avoided to the largest extent.
Objective To study the clinical anatomical basis of the liver hanging maneuver through research of applied anatomy. Methods Retrohepatic portions of the inferior vena cava of 21 cadaver were observed intracavitarily, and the numbers of short hepatic vein (SHV) opening were counted based on different possible pathway of the liver hanging maneuver and different width of retrohepatic tunnel (10 mm, 6 mm). Results The number of SHV was 0 to 3 (median=1) using standard pathway of the liver hanging maneuver in 6 mm retrohepatic tunnel, and the number of SHV was 0 to 2 (median=0) using EM pathway that was on the right border of retrohepatic portion of the inferior vena cava and 1 cm away from the inferior border of liver. There was a significant difference between the EM pathway and standard pathway, P=0.003.Conclusion The results show that setting up a retrohepatic tunnel through the liver hanging maneuver is feasible and safe.
Objective To study the vascular applied anatomy，the anatomic features of fascial，and interfascial space around the pancreas and duodenum，observe marker and safe surgical plane of pancreaticoduodenal region，and provide clinical anatomy basis for surgery of duodenum， pancreatic head，and distal common bile duct．Methods Anatomical observations were performed in 7 formalin fixed cadavers on duodenum，distal common bile duct，and pancreatic peripheral blood supply．Transverse mesocolon，pancreatic capsule and potential interfascial space，surgical plane and anatomic marker for reorganization around pancreas were observed．Results Gastropancreatic fold and hepatopancreatic fold formed by pancreatic capsule were good markers to locate the root of left gastric artery and common hepatic artery．A vessel-free plane between the behind pancreas and the anterior lamella of Gerota fascia could be used to make lymphadenectomy and pancreatic dissection behind pancreas and duodenum．Gerota fascia should be regarded as a safe posterior border to avoid injuring vessels and adrenal gland by mistake．The descending part and horizontal part of duodenum were mainly supplied by the anterior and posterior pancreaticoduodenal arterial arcade．The anterior and posterior pancreaticoduodenal arterial arcade should be protected in duodenum-preserving resection of pancreatic head．Conclusions Full understanding of pancreatic fascial and interfascial space formed in embryonic development is very important．Operation along the interfascial spaces is safe without bleeding and organ injury，which is essential in oncosurgery．
Objective To observe and measure the approach next to the erector spinae in the thoracic and lumbar segments of the spine and adjacent anatomical structures by the topographic method, to clarify the positioning method and safe range so as to provide the anatomical basis of the approach for spinal canal decompression. Methods Twelve formaldehyde-treated adult cadaver specimens were selected, including 6 males and 6 females with an average age of 43 years (range, 27-52 years) and with an average height of 166 cm (range, 154-177 cm). The related data of the approach at T1-S1 levels were respectively measured: the distance between the lateral edge of the erector spinae and the spinous process, the length of the approach, the angle between the approach and the horizontal plane, the size of intervertebral foramen, and the vertical distance between the segmental artery and the upper edge of the vertebrae. Results The distance between the lateral edge of the erector spinae and the spinous process ranged from (41.75 ± 3.29) mm to (74.54 ± 7.08) mm. The length of the approach ranged from (66.75 ± 10.81) mm to (97.13 ± 13.35) mm. The angle between the approach and the horizontal plane ranged from (38.38 ± 6.16)° to (53.67 ± 4.40)°. The vertical distance between the segmental artery and the upper edge of the vertebrae ranged from (9.50 ± 0.60) mm to (18.30 ± 1.56) mm. The size of foraminal was also measured. The spinal canal could reach when iliocostalis lateral edge was used as the starting point in the lumbar segments, and longissimus lateral edge as the starting point in the thoracic segments. It was confirmed that there was enough safe space for the spinal decompression without the resection of the articular process. Conclusion The approach next to the erector spinae can reach spinal canal to achieve the purpose of decompression through the intervertebral foramen. The minimally invasive approach is feasible and safe. It has the value of the operative application.
OBJECTIVE: To study the anatomical basis for reconstruction of vertebral artery with neighboring non-trunk arteries. METHODS: Twenty preserved adult cadavers were used in this study to observe the morphology of superior thyroid artery, inferior thyroid artery, transverse cervical artery, thyrocervical trunk and extracerebral portion of vertebral artery, and reconstruction of vertebral artery with these arteries was simulated in two preserved cadavers. RESULTS: The calibers of superior or inferior thyroid artery, or transverse cervical artery were more than 2 mm in diameter, and the arteries had suitable free length for end-to-side anastomosis with vertebral artery. Thyrocervical artery had similar caliber to vertebral artery so that end-to-end anastomosis could be carried out between them, but only 38.5% of this artery had adequate artery trunk (more than 10 mm). It was proved from the simulated procedures that the reconstruction of vertebral artery with these neighboring non-trunk arteries was possible. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of vertebral artery with neighboring non-trunk arteries has anatomical basis and can be used clinically for treatment of the lesion affecting the first or second portion of vertebral artery.