Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Rosenlechner, D.
Investigations of the arterial supply of the lateral upper arm flap.
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Graz Medical University; 2015. pp. 84
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Rosenlechner Dominik
- Betreuer*innen:
- Koch Horst
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Abstract: Despite its constant presence in the literature, the course and the vascular connections especially in distal direction of the collateral radial artery have not been described in detail so far. The aim of this examination was to determine these connections to adjacent vessels with special regard of the possible utilization of the lateral arm flap as a distal pedicled flap. This study involved 58 upper extremities, embalmed using Thiel´s method. The separation of the posterior and anterior branch of the collateral radial artery was measured from the radial epicondyle of the humerus as point of reference. Furthermore the ramifications and the anastomoses with nearby vessels of the posterior branch were inspected and graded into four areas (proximal-medial/ proximal-lateral/ distal-medial/ distal-lateral). Results: With regard to the distribution of the arteries in the 4 areas, area D appears as dominant area with 35% and area C with 29% of all detected arteries. Furthermore, the arterial inflow distributed to 21% in area A and 15% in area B. In 95% of all cases the arteries of Zone C and D were found distal to the radial epicondyle within a radius of 50 mm. The ACR was present in all cases and showed a diameter of 1.10 mm in the median and the median number of perforators was 2.5. The arterial network is formed by small branches of 4 main-arteries. As a result of the number and diameter of this arterial branches we were able to allocate the percentage inflow to the rete epicondylare radiale to these 4 arteries .Based on the examined arteries, the inflow into the rete epicondylare radiale distributed with 32% to the radial collateral artery, 25% to the interosseous recurrent artery, 23% to the radial recurrent artery, 16% to the ulnar collateralis inferior artery and 4% to the collateralis media artery. Conclusion: The radial epicondylare arterial network showed, in all specimens, a dense arterial inflow especially to the posterior branch of the ACR. This network is divided into a deep subfascial and an epifascial part. Due to the reliable anatomy a sufficient vascular pedicle to the ACR is possible if the overlying muscles remain intact.