ABSTRACT
Background: Now a days, Internal thoracic artery (ItA) is being widely used in coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) and in breast reconstructive surgeries. In addition, the area around its origin is also used for subclavianvein catheterization and introducing a pacemaker.Aim: Aim of the study was to know the normal and variant anatomy of internal thoracic artery in Indian subjectsin order to provide useful data to thoracic surgeons, so as to prevent iatrogenic complications in ItA dissections.Clinical applications related to variations were analysed.Material and Methods: 30 cadavers were dissected to see the mode of origin of internal thoracic artery, diameterat its origin and relation with phrenic nerve and thyrocervical trunk.Results: 55 arteries were showing normal origin and tend to arise opposite the root of thyrocervical trunk.Remaining 5 were arising in common with one or two branches of thyrocervical trunk. Average diameter at itsorigin was 2.8cm on left and 2.6cm on right. Relation with phrenic nerve was variable.Conclusion: During CABG surgery, Breast reconstructive surgery and various interventional procedures, it isimportant to know the variant pattern of ItA so as to avoid iatrogenic complications
ABSTRACT
Cervico-aural [collaural fi stula] fi stula is rare and it accounts for less than 5% of branchial cleft anomalies. In this paper, we report one such case of a 9 year old girl who was presented to us with two discharging cutaneous openings on the right side; one in the fl oor of the external auditory canal and another in the neck at the junction of the upper 2/3rd and lower third of the sternomastoid muscle along its anterior border.