Anatomic study of distally based pedicle compound flaps with nutrient vessels of the cutaneous nerves and superficial veins of the forearm

The purpose of this study was to describe the anatomic basis for a distally based neurovenovascular pedicle compound flap, with nutrient vessels of the cutaneous nerves and superficial veins of the forearm. In this study, the origins, branches, and anastomoses of nutrient vessels of the cutaneous nerves and superficial veins of the forearm and their relationships with the blood supply of adjacent muscle, bone, and skin were assessed in 96 adult cadavers by perfusion of red gelatin into the superior limb arteries. The results showed that the nutrient vessels of cutaneous nerves and superficial veins of the forearm were found to have multiple origins, consisting of six longitudinal vascular plexuses and one transverse vascular plexus of the forearm, as follows: 1) the anterior-lateral vascular plexus from cutaneous branches of the radial artery; 2) the anterior-medialis vascular plexus from cutaneous branches of the ulnar artery; 3) the dorso-lateral vascular plexus from radial osteal and cutaneous branches; 4) the dorso-medialis vascular plexus from ulnar osteal and cutaneous branches; 5) the radial vascular plexus from osteal and cutaneous branches of the radial artery, cutaneous branches of the radial artery in the upper wrist, recurrent branches of the styloid process of the radius, and the radialis vascular plexus of cutaneous branches of the tabatière anatomique (anatomical snuffbox); and 6) the ulnar lateral vascular plexus from cutaneous branches of the ulnar artery in the upper wrist and osteal and cutaneous branches. The transverse vascular plexus is composed of dorsal branches of the ulnar and radial arteries. These perforating branches give fascial branches, cutaneous branches, periosteal branches, and nutrient vessels of cutaneous nerves and superficial veins. These results suggest that nutrient vessels of the cutaneous nerves and superficial veins of the forearm have the same origins as those of the nutrient vessels of adjacent muscles, bones, and skin of the forearm, which can be designated as five types of distally based pedicle flaps with nutrient vessels of cutaneous nerves and superficial veins of the forearm, whose rotation point is at the wrist joint. This flap can be applied to repair tissues of distal parts of the hand.     

Innervated boomerang flap for finger pulp reconstruction

The boomerang flap originates from the dorsolateral aspect of the proximal phalanx of an adjacent digit and is supplied by the retrograde blood flow through the vascular arcades between the dorsal and palmar digital arteries. To provide sensation of the boomerang flap for finger pulp reconstruction, the dorsal sensory branch of the proper digital nerve and the superficial sensory branch of the corresponding radial or ulnar nerve are included within the skin flap. After transfer of the flap to the injured site, epineural neurorrhaphies are done between the digital nerves of the pulp and the sensory branches of the flap. We used this sensory flap in five patients, with more than 1 year follow-up, and all patients achieved measurable two-points discrimination. The boomerang flap not only preserves the proper palmar digital artery but also provides an extended and innervated skin paddle. It seems to be an alternative choice for one-stage reconstruction of major pulp defect.     

游离尺动脉腕上皮支皮瓣修复手指创面

目的探讨尺动脉腕上皮支皮瓣修复手指创面的手术方法及效果。方法对11例手指皮肤软组织缺损合并肌腱或骨外露者,采用游离尺动脉腕上皮支皮瓣进行修复。其中8例面积为2．5cm×1．0cm-5．2cm×2．2cm的皮瓣．在腕上皮支下行支轴线上切取：3例面积为5．5cm×3．0cm×6．2cm×3．8cm的皮瓣,在腕上皮支下行支及上行支轴线上切取。皮瓣切取后,8例下行支皮瓣内腕上皮支主干均直接与受区指动脉吻合,3例合并有上行支的皮瓣均移植了前臂静脉与受区的指动脉吻合,皮瓣内的皮下静脉或伴行静脉分别与近端指掌侧或指背侧2-3根静脉吻合,将皮瓣内携带的1条尺神经手背支与指固有神经接合。结果术后11例皮瓣全部成活．并获得4～17个月随访。皮肤弹性、色泽、质地良好,外形满意。两点辨别觉9-12mm。结论游离尺动脉腕上皮支皮瓣供区隐蔽,血管穿支位置恒定,不损伤主干血管,供区损伤小,切取简单。修复手指缺损外观满意,可携带神经恢复皮瓣感觉,是修复手指创面的一种理想选择。     

带前臂外侧皮神经营养血管筋膜皮瓣的应用解剖

目的：为带前臂外侧皮神经及其营养血管筋膜皮瓣提供形态学基础。方法：在３２侧成人上肢标本上，观测前臂外侧皮神经营养血管及其周围皮肤的供血情况。结果：前臂外侧皮神经近侧的血供为肱动脉末端和桡动脉起始部的肌皮支，起始处外径分别为１．４ｍｍ、１．１ｍｍ，穿出深筋膜前长为１．９ｃｍ、１．４ｃｍ；远侧主要为桡动脉的粗大皮支，起始处外径为０．８ｍｍ，穿出深筋膜前长０．８ｃｍ；此外，桡动脉的茎突返支及掌浅支的皮支营养其远端。其神经支在神经束间或神经旁相互吻合构成纵向（链式）血管网，并借分支与筋膜皮支所形成的皮下筋膜血管网沟通。结论：可设计带前臂外侧皮神经及其营养血管的筋膜皮瓣，顺行或逆行转位修复邻近部位的软组织缺损。     

The cutaneous innervation of the dorsal hand: detailed anatomy with clinical implications

PURPOSE: Detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the cutaneous innervation to the dorsal surface of the hand is valuable information. Because surgical access to the wrist often is obtained via the dorsal skin it would be helpful particularly to delineate an area where surgical incisions would not injure underlying nerves. METHODS: Thirty cadaver forearms were dissected carefully to examine in detail the anatomy of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve, the superficial branch of the radial nerve, and the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve. Each hand then was evaluated for an area free of any major nerve branches over the dorsal wrist. RESULTS: Although the innervation to the dorsal hand varies certain patterns exist. The innervation pattern between the superficial branch of the radial nerve and the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve is distributed evenly, dual innervation is frequent between the 2 nerves, and the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve is a common contributor to the innervation of the thumb. The superficial branch of the radial nerve and the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve have identifiable branching patterns and have been classified according to a system developed for this study. CONCLUSIONS: Two classification systems based on detailed dorsal hand cutaneous innervation patterns can be used to specify the placement of a safe dorsal skin incision away from major nerve branches.     

Outcome of free digital artery perforator flap transfer for reconstruction of fingertip defects

Background:

Fingertip defect can be treated with many flaps such as random pattern abdominal flap, retrograde digital artery island flap, V-Y advancement flap, etc. However, swelling in the fingertip, dysfunction of sensation, flexion and extension contracture or injury in the hemi-artery of the finger usually occurs during the recovery phase. Recently, digital artery perforator flaps have been used for fingertip reconstructions. With the development of super microsurgery techniques, free flaps can be more effective for sensory recovery and durability of the fingertip.

Materials and Methods:

Six cases (six fingers) of fingertip defects were treated with free digital artery perforator flaps of appropriate size and shape from the proximal phalanx. During surgery, the superficial veins at the edge of flap were used as reflux vessels and the branches of the intrinsic nerve and dorsal digital nerve toward the flap were used as sensory nerves. The proximal segment of the digital artery (cutaneous branches) towards the flap was cut off to form the pedicled free flap. The fingertips were reconstructed with the free flap by anastomosing the cutaneous branches of digital artery in the flap with the distal branch or trunk of the digital artery, the flap nerve with the nerve stump and the veins of the flap with the digital artery accompanying veins or the superficial veins in the recipient site.

Results:

Six flaps survived with successful skin grafting. Patients were followed up for 6-9 months. The appearance and texture of the flaps was satisfactory. The feeling within the six fingers recovered to S4 level (BMRC scale) and the two point discrimination was 3-8 mm.

Conclusion:

Free digital artery perforator flap is suitable for repairing fingertip defect, with good texture, fine fingertip sensation and without sacrificing the branch of the digital artery or nerve.     

Dorsal branches of superficial radial nerve: an anatomic study with potential clinical applications

An anatomical study was performed to assess the course of the dorsal branches of superficial radial nerve and to investigate potential clinical applications in hand surgery. Eight upper extremities were dissected, using an operating microscope. All branching points of the superficial radial nerve were noted and the distances from the radial styloid process were recorded. Their proximity to neighboring vascular structures was noted. The superficial branches of the radial nerve can vascularize axial neurofasciocutaneous flaps via their paraneural arterial network. In addition, various reverse neurofasciocutaneous flaps may be harvested, based on dorsal branches of the superficial radial nerve. The nerve can be anastomosed with a suitable nerve in the recipient area. The dorsal branches of the superficial radial nerve can easily be added to the reverse first dorsal metacarpal artery flap and other reverse dorsal metacarpal artery flaps, thus making it possible to form a sensate flap. These branches may be anastomosed with nerves in the recipient site, such as dorsal branches of digital nerve stump, without significant donor site morbidity. A free sensate first dorsal artery flap can be prepared with a combination of dorsal branches of the superficial radial nerve and used with the same indications as a free digital artery flap. It has some advantages over the free digital artery flap, because the main neurovascular structures of the finger are kept intact. Finally, a dorsal nerve branch which accompanies the first dorsal metacarpal artery may be harvested with this artery and a subcutaneous dorsal vein as vascularized nerve graft. It can be used to repair a digital nerve defect in dense scar tissue. Received: 3 January 2000     

掌短肌皮瓣的临床应用

目的 掌短肌皮瓣的应用解剖及临床应用掌短肌皮瓣修复拇指指腹缺损的效果。方法 选择３０例灌注红色乳胶成人上肢标本，观测掌短肌皮瓣的血供、神经分布；上对９例拇指指腹缺的病例，应用吻合血管的掌短肌皮瓣进行修复。三 肌皮 的血供有４个来源：即尺动脉干、掌浅支的肌皮支和皮支、掌深支和小指尽侧固有动脉的肌皮支。其静脉回流为上述动脉的伴行静脉。感觉神经为尺神经浅支和尺神经的尺动脉支。临床９例拇指指腹缺损，应用掌     

指背血管的应用解剖

为探讨指痛旗形皮瓣的血供方式,对２０只成人手标本行细致的解剖学观测,结果：（１）手指背侧的皮肤主要由指掌侧固有动脉的背侧分支供应,指背动脉短小,只参与指痛近节皮肤的血液供血。（２）手指背侧的静脉系统丰富,常吻合成网,在无 ,近侧指间关节及近节指中份形成第一、二三级静脉弓。（３）第三级静脉弓粗大,近侧弯向指根部形成桡、尺侧指背静脉网。（４）桡、尺侧静脉干之间的区域,几乎无静脉可见,可称为指背的“乏静     

第二掌背动脉岛状皮瓣的临床应用

目的：通过解剖学研究，设计第２掌背动脉岛状皮瓣，临床修复手部皮肤缺损，获得成功。方法：对５０只经动脉灌注红色乳胶的成人手标本，在放大镜下观察第２掌背动脉及伴行静脉的起端，皮支、终末支的走行；测量血管各部位的直径。结果：第２掌背动脉终末支分布于第２指蹼、示中指近节皮肤；皮支和其它掌背、掌指动脉间有丰富的吻合支。临床应用８例，顺行皮瓣７例，逆行１例。修复手背、拇指皮肤缺损，皮瓣全部成活。结论：临床应用第２掌背动脉为蒂的岛状皮瓣时，可设计成顺行或逆行皮瓣，均能成活。     

皮神经营养血管逆行皮瓣修复手部创面术后并发症的防治

目的 探讨手部皮神经营养血管逆行皮瓣术后并发症的防治.方法 对83例手指和手掌、背创面,采用六种皮神经为轴线设计的皮神经营养血管逆行皮瓣进行修复.其中指神经背侧支皮瓣16例;指背皮神经皮瓣6例;桡神经浅支,包括拇指桡或尺背侧皮神经皮瓣42例;尺神经手背支皮瓣10例;前臂内侧或外侧皮神经皮瓣9例.在皮瓣设计、切取、转移和术后处理方面采取了一系列综合措施防治术后并发症的发生.结果 术后全部皮瓣均存活,但在随访中发现皮瓣供、受区均存在不同程度的并发症:如受区皮瓣静脉回流障碍,皮瓣或蒂部臃肿;供区存有植皮区失活,伤口瘢痕增生,神经瘤形成或虎口轻度挛缩.通过后期注重对皮瓣和蒂部无张力的缝合、皮瓣二期整形等综合措施,有效地降低了并发症的发生.结论 加强皮神经营养血管皮瓣转移术各个环节的精细操作,尽可能矫正皮瓣对手部美观造成的负面影响.才能降低该类皮瓣修复手部创面的术后并发症,提高患者的满意度.     

头静脉周围血管营养皮瓣修复皮肤缺损45例

目的：探讨头静脉周围血管营养皮瓣修复皮肤缺损的临床疗效。方法对2008年2月-2012年3月收治的45例皮肤缺损患者采用头静脉周围血管营养皮瓣的方法治疗,共切取45个皮瓣。术后随访6～12个月,平均10个月。根据皮瓣的手术方法分两类,一类：顺行皮瓣,皮瓣位于蒂部的远端。二类：逆行皮瓣,皮瓣位于蒂部的近端。二类一型：创面内能找到可吻合的回流静脉,将皮瓣内的头静脉与创面内的回流静脉吻合。二类二型：创面内找不到可吻合的静脉,皮瓣组织内的头静脉结扎。皮瓣切取位于筋膜层深层,蒂宽以头静脉为中心,不大于3.0 cm。皮瓣长宽比例不能大于5：1。游离皮瓣蒂部根据情况带一条形皮肤,缝合时减少张力。在切取皮瓣时遇到表浅皮神经要注意保留。结果通过头静脉周围血管营养皮瓣的方法,45例皮瓣均成活。由于切取皮瓣时保留了皮神经,皮瓣修复后肢体的感觉功能良好。结论头静脉存在于筋膜组织中,其周围伴行着比较集中的小动脉营养供血,营养着头静脉及其周围组织,利用这套组织供血,可以设计各种头静脉周围血管营养皮瓣。由于皮瓣只含头静脉不损伤神经及动脉,因此对肢体损伤小,成活率高,有广阔的应用前景。     

Anatomical basis for a vascular pedicled island flap from the dorsal area of the wrist.

We explored the cutaneous vascularity of the dorsal wrist area to examine the possibility of using reverse island flaps from this area for reconstruction of the hands and fingers. Four dominant arterial branches including the dorsal branches of the ulnar and radial arteries and terminal branches of the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries, which supplied the dorsal skin over the extensor retinaculum, were explored. The location, number, and diameter of skin perforators from these arteries were examined. The dorsal branches of the radial and ulnar arteries that passed along the dorsal cutaneous nerves gave off 2-4 skin perforators (diameter 0.1-0.2 mm) at the level of the carpal bone and always connected distally to perforating arteries from the palmar arterial system at the metacarpal head. Skin perforators from the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries were found passing through the extensor retinaculum in the second and third and fifth and sixth intercompartmental areas. The terminal branches of the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries always continued to the dorsal carpal arch, and lay over the distal carpal row. It may be anatomically possible to raise two different island flaps from the dorsum of the wrist.     

手及前臂皮神经营养血管蒂皮瓣的应用解剖

目的：观察手及前臂皮神经营养血管的情况，为设计以皮神经及其营养血管为蒂的岛状皮瓣提供形态学依据。方法：用红色氯仿油画染料灌注的20侧成人上肢标本，在手术显微镜下解剖并观测手及前臂 5条皮神经营养血管的来源、数目、外径，穿出深筋膜的位置，与皮神经及浅静脉的关系等项目。结果；营养动脉多以降支方式伴行在皮神经深面内侧，前臂皮神经的血管网可达神经两侧各2．5cm范围内的皮肤，5条皮神经的营养动脉外径接近，结论：手及前臂皮神经的营养血管血供可靠，可设计相应部位的岛状皮瓣。     

Microsurgical anatomy of the lateral skin flap of the leg

The blood supply, venous drainage, and innervation of the lateral skin flap of the leg were studied in 52 fresh specimens by dissection, angiography, and selected injection of cutaneous arteries with india ink. This flap has a long vascular pedicle that contains the peroneal artery and vein and their branches. The diameter of the peroneal artery is about 3.7 mm. There are 4 to 7 cutaneous branches that penetrate the posterior intermuscular septum and widely anastomose with each other in the subcutaneous tissue. The skin area supplied by the peroneal artery measures approximately 32 X 15 cm. There are 2 sets of veins in the flap: (1) 2 deep veins, the peroneal veins, are about 4 mm in diameter, and (2) a superficial vein, the small saphenous vein, is about 3.3 mm in diameter. The cutaneous nerve is the lateral sural cutaneous nerve. This new lateral skin flap of the leg may be used either as a free flap or as a cutaneous flap and has been proven successful clinically.     

带神经的双侧胸脐皮瓣修复全手皮肤撕脱伤

目的 探讨全手皮肤撕脱伤的治疗方法。方法 采用带神经的双侧胸脐皮瓣修复全手皮肤撕脱伤、右侧皮瓣上的两根神经分别与手掌第1、第3指掌侧总神经吻合，左侧皮瓣上的两根神经分别与尺神经手背支和桡神经皮支吻合。结果 两例全部成功。随访12～15个月，患手有温度觉和触痛觉，尺侧接触台面时有敏感性触觉，且恢复部分握捏功能。结论 带神经双侧胸脐皮瓣修复全手皮肤撕脱伤是一种较好的方法，可在各级医院推广使用。     

Perforator anatomy of the ulnar forearm fasciocutaneous flap

The ulnar forearm fasciocutaneous flap (UFFF) is a favourable alternative to the radial forearm flap when thin and pliable tissue is required. The precise anatomy of the cutaneous perforators of UFFF has not been previously reported. The position of cutaneous perforators>0.5 mm was recorded while raising 52 consecutive free UFFFs in 51 patients at our Centre. Three (6%) UFFFs in two patients demonstrated direct cutaneous supply through a superficial ulnar artery, a known anatomic variance. There was no cutaneous perforator>0.5 mm in one flap. Among the remaining 48 dissections, an average of 3 (range, 1-6) cutaneous perforators were identified. Ninety-four percent of these forearms demonstrated at least one perforator>0.5 mm within 3 cm, and all had at least one perforator within 6 cm of the midpoint of the forearm. Proximal perforators were more likely to be musculo-cutaneous through the edge of flexor carpi ulnaris or flexor digitorum superficialis, while mid- to distal perforators were septo-cutaneous. UFFF skin paddle designed to overlie an area within 3 cm of the midpoint between the medial epicondyle and the pisiform is most likely to include at least one cutaneous perforator from the ulnar artery, without a need for intra-operative skin island adjustment. This novel anatomic finding and other practical generalisations are discussed to facilitate successful elevation of UFFF.     

应用数字减影血管造影术指导皮瓣选择修复严重手外伤创面

目的本文探讨数字减影血管造影术(Digital subtraction angiography,DSA)在严重手外伤治疗中,对皮瓣选择的指导作用。方法回顾性分析我科治疗的6例手外伤患者,创面均有肌腱和(或)骨外露,所有患者均行DSA检查,明确前臂和手的血供情况,包括桡动脉、尺动脉的走行及其穿支动脉、掌深弓掌浅弓的存在与否等。根据造影结果,综合评价血管损伤情况和邻近的软组织条件,并据此选择逆行前臂岛状皮瓣或远位游离皮瓣修复创面。结果 4例患者前臂及手掌部主干血管无损伤,选择逆行前臂轴型皮瓣修复。2例患者因前臂桡动脉断裂、掌深弓掌浅弓完整性缺失而选择游离轴型皮瓣修复创面,术后皮瓣均存活。结论 DSA造影可以清晰显示患侧前臂和手的血管网,发现可能存在的血管损伤,能有效地指导皮瓣的选择,提高皮瓣选择的合理性和皮瓣移植的成功率。     

Anatomic variations in sensory innervation of the hand and digits

Anatomic dissections under microscopic magnification were performed on 30 fresh cadaveric hands to depict the course and interconnections of the sensory nerves to the digits. The dissections included the median nerve, the ulnar nerve, the superficial branch of the radial nerve, the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve, and the dorsal branch of the proper digital nerve. The communicating branches between the median and ulnar nerves in the palm were found in 20 of the 30 (67%) specimens. The dorsal branch of the proper digital nerve was found to arise at or proximal to the A1 pulley zone in 62% of the long digits, more proximally than previously reported. The dorsal sensory nerves (the terminal branch of radial or ulnar sensory nerves) extending to the nail bed area were found in 46% of the digits, thus confirming that sensory supply to the dorsum of the distal phalanx and nail bed also arises from the dorsal sensory nerves. Four types of palmar-dorsal interconnections, located in the middle of the proximal phalanx, were found in the digits but not in the thumb. The presence of these branches indicates dual innervation of the dorsal and palmar side of the distal areas of the digits. These anatomic findings may help hand surgeons interpret discrepancies in sensory loss after either dorsal or palmar injuries.     

Superficial ulnar artery: curse or blessing in harvesting fasciocutaneous forearm flaps

BACKGROUND: Superficial ulnar artery is a well-known vascular anomaly that may cause special risks because of possible impairment of the vessel by mistake during harvesting fasciocutaneous forearm flaps. METHODS: The charts of patients who had undergone forearm flap transfer were reviewed for vascular anomalies. When a superficial ulnar artery was present, a superficial ulnar artery flap was raised and arteriography was performed postoperatively to figure out the vascular pattern in the contralateral arm. RESULTS: Four superficial ulnar arteries were found during dissection of ulnar forearm flaps (n = 107). We were unable to identify any superficial ulnar artery when preparing the radial pendant (n = 27), and we did not notice any impairment of such an artery. The four superficial ulnar artery flaps healed uneventfully. Postoperative arteriography revealed a bilateral vascular anomaly in one of the four cases. CONCLUSION: The superficial ulnar artery is a calculable anatomic variation as long as its possible presence is considered during flap harvesting. In these cases, the use of the superficial ulnar artery flap was found to be an easy and safe alternative.