Objective To reveal the fibrillar network in vitreous and the effect of plasmin on this network.Methods 20 vitreous gels of freshly slaughtered pigs were divided into 2 groups, the gels in first group were digested by 3 Uplasmin (3 U/ml) at 37c for 24 hours respectively, the second group received the same PBS as control. After digestion, gels were fixed in neutral buffered formalin solution. Samples from vitreous base, cortex and the central region were observed by the technique of freeze etching electron microscopy.Results In vitreous collagen fibril network was in a three-dimensional array, collagen fibril density showed marked differences, central vitreous had the sparse fibril density, the cortex denser and the basal vitreous densest. After digestion by plasmin, the collagen fibrillar network was destructed.Conclusion Collagen fibrils in vitreous present spatial arrangement regularly, plasmin can lead to destruction of the fibrillar network.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：179-181)
Objective To investigate the anatomic foundation of using main branch of posterior femoral nerve to restore the sensation function of distal basedsural island flap. Methods Thirty cases of adult human cadaver legs fixed by 4%formaldehyde were used. Anatomical investigation of the posterior femoral nerves of lower legs was conducted under surgical microscope to observe their distribution, branches and their relationship with small saphenous vein. Nerve brancheswith diameter more than 0.1 mm were dissected and accounted during observation.The length and diameter of the nerves were measured. Results The main branch of posterior femoral nerve ran downwards from popliteal fossa within superficial fascia along with small saphenous vein. 70% of the main branch of the posterior femoral nerves lay medially to small saphenous vein, and 30% laterally. They wereclassified into 3 types according to their distribution in lower legs: typeⅠ (33.3%) innervated the upper 1/4 region of lower leg (region Ⅰ), type Ⅱ (43.3%) had branches in upper 1/2 region (region Ⅰ and Ⅱ), and type Ⅲ (23.3%) distributed over the upper 3/4 region (region Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ). In type Ⅱ, the diameter of the main branches of posterior femoral nerves in the middle of popliteal tossa was 10±04 mm and innervated the posterior upper-middle region (which was the ordirary donor region of distal based sural island flaps) of lower legs with 2.0±0.8 branches, whose diameter was 0.3±0.2 mm and length was 3.5±2.7 mm. The distance between the end of these branches and small saphenous vein was 0.8±0.6 mm. In type Ⅲ, their diameter was 1.2±0.3 mm and innervated the posterior upper-middle region of lower legs with 3.7±1.7 branches, whose diameter was 0.4±0.1 mm and length was 3.7±2.6 mm. The distancebetween the end of these branches and small saphenous vein was 0.8±0.4 mm. Conclusion 66.6% of human main branch of posteriorfemoral nerves (type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ) can be used to restore the sensation of distal based sural island flap through anastomosis with sensor nerve stump of footduring operation.
To provide anatomical evidences for the blood supply compound flap based on fibular head to rebuild internal malleolus. Methods The morphology of vessels and bones in donor site and in recipient site was observed. The materials for the study were l isted as follows: ① Forty desiccative adult tibias (20 left and 20 right respectively) were used to measure the basilar width, middle thickness, anterior length, posterior length and introversion angle of internal malleolus; ② Forty desiccative adult fibulas (20 left and 20 right respectively) were used to measure the middle width and thickness, as well as the extraversion angle of articular surface of fibular head; ③ Thirty adult lower l imb specimens which perfused with red rubber were used to observe the blood supply relationships between the anterior tibial recurrent vessels and fibular head, and internal anterior malleolar vessels inside recipient site. Results The internal malleolus had a basilar width of (2.6 ± 0.2) cm, a middle thickness of (1.3 ± 0.2) cm, an anterior length of (1.4 ± 1.9) cm and a posterior length of (0.6 ± 0.1) cm. Its articular facet was half-moon. Its introversion angle was (11.89 ± 3.60)°. The fibular head had a middle thickness of (1.8 ± 0.6) cm, a middle width of (2.7 ± 0.4) cm. Its articular facet was toroid, superficial and cavate in shape, and exposed inwardsly and upwardsly, and had a extraversion angel of (39.2 ± 1.3)°. The anterior tibial recurrent artery directly began from anterior tibial artery, accounting for 93.3%. Its initiation point was (4.5 ± 0.7) cm inferior to apex of fibular head. Its main trunk ran through the deep surface of anterior tibial muscle, and ran forwards, outwards and upwards with sticking to the lateral surface of proximal tibia. Its main trunk had a length of (0.5 ±0.2) cm and a outer diameter of (2.0 ± 0.4) mm. Its accompanying veins, which had outer diameters of (2.1 ± 0.5) mm and (2.6 ± 0.4) mm, entry into anterior tibial vein. It constantly gave 1-2 fibular head branches which had a outer diameter of (1.7 ± 1.3) mm at (1.0 ± 0.4) cm from the initiation point. The internal anterior malleolar artery which began from anterior tibial artery or dorsal pedal artery had a outer diameter of (1.6 ± 0.4) mm. Its accompanying veins had outer diameters of (1.3 ± 0.5) mm and (1.1 ± 0.4) mm. Conclusion The blood supply compound flap based on fibular head had a possibil ity to rebuild internal malleolus. Its articular facet was characterized as the important anatomical basis to rebuild internal malleolus.
Objective To study the microsurgical anatomy of the facial nerve (FN ) trunk and provide some important morphometric data about facialhypoglossal nerve anastomosis (FHA). Methods Bilateral microsurgical dissection was performed on the heads of 9 cadarers fixed with formalinwith three different methods. In the first method, the posterior belly of the digastric muscle was used as a mark, and the FN trunk was identified on the medial side ofthis muscle. In the second method, dissection was initiated at the parotid gland, the FN trunk was identified at its entrance into the parotid gland. In the third method, the styloid process was identified and traced back to the stylomastoid foramen (SMF). The FN trunk was identified on its emergence from the SMF. In every dissection, the whole FN trunk was exposed; its diameter and depth at the the SMF and its length were measured; its relationship, with other structures was studied. Results The FN invariably emerged from the cranial base through the SMF. Its diameter upon its emergence from the foramen was 2.57±0.60mm. The mean minimal distance of the FN trunk from the skin surface in this area was 22.62±2.88 mm. The length of the FN trunk was 15.71±1.97 mm. The distance between the bifurcation and the mastoidale was 18.20±4.41 mm. The distance between the bifurcation and the mandibular angle was 39.91±8.38 mm. The distance between the mastoidale and the SMF was 17.91±2.68 mm. The branches fromthe FN trunk proximal to its bifurcation were the posterior auricular nerve, the digastric muscle nerve and the stylohyoid muscle nerve.Conclusion The third method to expose the FN trunk on its emergence from the SMFis safe and reliable. It is feasible to use only part of the hypoglossal nerve fibers for anastomosis with the FN trunk.
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.
To investigate the anatomic feature of the posterior hip joint capsule and its distributional difference of collagen fibers and to probe the optimization of the capsulotomy which can reserve the best strength part. Methods Ten adult cadaver pelvises (6 males and 4 females, aged 28-64 years) fixed with formal in were used. Ten right hips were used for anatomical experiment of hip joint capsule. The posterior hip joint capsules were divided into 3 sectors(I-III sectors ) and 9 parts (IA-C, IID-F, IIIG-I). The average thickness of each part was measured and the ischiofemorale l igaments were observed. Five capsules selected from ten left hips were used for histological experiment. The content of collagen fibers in sector I and sector II was analyzed by Masson’s staining. Two fresh frozen specimens which were voluntary contributions were contrasted with the fixed specimens. The optimal incision l ine of the posterior capsule was designed and used. Results The thickness in the posterior hip joint capsule [IA (2.30 ± 0.40), IB (4.68 ± 0.81), IC (2.83 ± 0.69), IID (2.80 ± 0.79), IIE (4.22 ± 1.33), IIF (2.50 ± 0.54), IIIG (1.57 ± 0.40), IIIH (2.60 ± 0.63), IIII (1.31 ± 0.28) mm] had no uniformity (P lt; 0.01). The IIIG part and the IIII part were thinner than the IB part and the IIE part (P lt; 0.01). Two weaker parts located at obturator externus sector (sector III), the ischiofemorale l igament trunk went through two thicker parts (IB and IIE). The distribution of the collagen fibers in sector I and sector II(IA 20.34% ± 5.14%, IB 48.79% ± 12.67%, IC 19.87% ± 5.21%, IID 17.57% ± 3.56%, IIE 46.76% ± 11.47%, IIF 28.65% ± 15.79%) had no uniformity (P lt; 0.01). The content of collagen fibers in IB part and IIE part were more than that of other parts (P lt; 0.01). There were no statistically significant difference in the distribution feature of the thickness and the ischiofemorale l igaments between the fresh frozen specimens and the fixed specimens. The optimal incision l ine C-A-B-D-E of the posterior capsule was designed and put into cl inical appl ication. The remaining capsular flap comprise the most of the ischiofemorale l igament trunk and the part of gluteus minimus. Conclusion Although enhanced posterior soft tissue repairin total hip arthroplasty was investigated deeply and obtained great development, but the postoperative dislocation rate was not el iminated. It is significant for optimizing the capsulotomy to reserve the best strength part of the posterior capsule and to bring into full play the function of the ischiofemorale l igaments.
Objective To observe the relationship between shallow optic cup，small disc and occurrence in patients with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).Methods Ninetysix patients（96 diseased eyes）who accorded with the diagnosis criteria for NAION，with duration ge; three months and optic disc edema in paracmasis were selected. The fellow eyes of 96 NAION patients and 80 normal eyes were selected in our study. The horizontal and vertical disc and cup diameters，optic cup depth, and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness were measured by quot;crossquot; and quot;ringquot; scan of optical coherence tomography (OCT，Humphrey 2000，German Carl Zeiss Company) inspection system. The cup depth were classified four grades by cup shape according to OCT images：GradeⅠ，bottom of optic cup above the anterior plane of peripapillary neuroepithelial layer（PNL）；GradeⅡ，bottom of optic cup above the plane of PNL；Grade Ⅲ，bottom of optic cup between the plane of PNL and choroidal pigment epithelium；Grade Ⅳ，bottom of optic cup under the plane of choroidal pigment epithelium connection. The grades of optic cup and value in three groups were statistically analyzed. The follow up ranged from six months to three years.Results The disc diameter in horizontal scanning of diseased eyes，fellow eyes and normal eyes were (1.29plusmn;0.19), (1.32plusmn;0.17), (1.40plusmn;0.15) mm，and diameters in vertical scanning were (1.52plusmn;0.14), (1.49plusmn;0.17), (1.60plusmn;0.22) mm, respectively. Compared the diseased eyes and fellow eyes with normal eyes，the difference were statistically significant in horizontal scanning (t=4.291,3.315; P＜0.05) and in vertical scanning (t=2.812, 3.654; P＜0.05). Compared the diseased eyes with fellow eyes，the difference of average diameter were not statistically significant in horizontal and vertical scanning (t=1.153,1.335; P＞0.05). Of the diseased eyes，GradeⅠoptic cup in 36 eyes（37.50），Grade Ⅱ-Ⅲoptic cup in 52 eyes（54.17%），Grade Ⅳoptic cup in eight eyes（8.33%），and GradeⅠ-Ⅲ optic cup in 88 eyes（91.67%）were found. Of the fellow eyes，GradeⅠoptic cup in 18 eyes（18.75%），Grade Ⅱ-Ⅲoptic cup in 69 eyes（71.88%），Grade Ⅳoptic cup in nine eyes（9.34%），and GradeⅠ-Ⅲ optic cup in 87 eyes（9066%）were found. Compared the average RNFL thickness of diseased eyes with the fellow eyes and normal eyes，the differences were statistically significant in temporal, upper, nasal, lower quadrant(t=12.862，10.147，15.046，8.180，12.859，9.562，12.174，8.632；P＜0.001). Compared the average RNFL thickness of the fellow eyes and normal eyes，the differences were not statistically significant in all quadrants（t=1.040，1.576，1.062，1.192；P＞0.05）. During the followup，eight eyes with recurrence which optic cup were GradeⅠand Ⅱin diseased eyes；44 eyes（45.8%）occurred NAION. Correlation analysis showed that there was negative correlation between incidence of fellow eye and optic cup depth(t=-0.757, P=0.000). Conclusion Optic cup and disk in NAION patients are smaller than that in the normal，the anatomical characteristics of shallow cup and small disc was one of the NAION pathogenesis.
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.