A rare variation of suprascapular artery originated from the axillary artery / Una rara variación de la arteria supraescapular originada de la arteria axilar

SUMMARY: The suprascapular artery (SSA) has been identified to be of clinical relevance to clavicular fracture, suprascapular neuropathy and surgical intervention of shoulder. Thus its origin and course have been intensively studied. In this case, we found a unilateral variation of the suprascapular artery, originating from the 1st segment of axillary artery, and sequentially penetrating the upper trunk of brachial plexus, passing through the suprascapular notch under the superior transverse scapular ligament. This case will be helpful to clinical management in cervical and shoulder region.

RESUMEN: Se ha identificado que la arteria supraescapular (ASS) tiene relevancia clínica en la fractura clavicular, la neuropatía supraescapular y la intervención quirúrgica del hombro. En consecuencia, su origen y su curso han sido ampliamente estudiados. En este caso, encontramos una variación unilateral de la arteria supraescapular, originada en el primer segmento de la arteria axilar, y que penetraba secuencialmente en el tronco superior del plexo braquial, pasando a través de la incisura supraescapular debajo del ligamento escapular transverso superior. Este caso será útil para el manejo clínico en la región cervical y del hombro.

Variations in the origin and course of the suprascapular artery: case report and literature review / Variações na origem e percurso da artéria supraescapular: relato de caso e revisão da literatura

Abstract The suprascapular artery is normally a branch of the thyrocervical trunk of the subclavian artery. During dissection of the left upper limb of a female cadaver, aged 70 years and fixed in 10% formalin solution, the suprascapular artery was observed aberrantly arising from the first part of the axillary artery. Later, it coursed obliquely behind the clavicle bone and brachial plexus to reach the suprascapular notch, where it was accompanied by the suprascapular nerve. Then, both suprascapular nerve and artery anomalously traversed beneath the transverse scapular ligament. It then irrigated the supraspinatus muscles and took part in the anastomosis around the scapula. On the contralateral side there was no abnormality. Variations in the origin and course of suprascapular artery are of immense value to orthopedic and vascular surgeons, angiographists, and anatomists.

Resumo A artéria supraescapular normalmente se apresenta como um ramo do tronco tireocervical da artéria subclávia. Durante a dissecção do membro superior esquerdo de um cadáver do sexo feminino com idade de 70 anos fixado em solução de formol 10%, observou-se que a artéria supraescapular tinha origem aberrante na primeira parte da artéria axilar. Mais adiante, a artéria cursava obliquamente por trás da clavícula e plexo braquial até atingir a incisura supraescapular, onde era acompanhada pelo nervo supraescapular. A partir daí, tanto o nervo quanto a artéria supraescapulares atravessavam de forma anômala por baixo do ligamento transverso da escápula. Neste ponto, irrigavam os músculos supraespinhosos e faziam parte da anastomose em torno da escápula. No lado contralateral, não havia anormalidade. Variações na origem e percurso da artéria supraescapular são de grande valor para cirurgiões ortopédicos e vasculares, angiografistas e anatomistas.

Repairing burn scar contracture of chin and neck with cervico-scapulo-dorsal reverse axial flap in children / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To explore an effective method in reconstructing of burn scar contracture of the chin and neck in children. Methods The blood in the transverse cervical artery might flow reverse into the suprascapular artery and the posterior intercostals perforators through anastomic branches. An axial skin flap in the cervico-scapulo-dorsal area could be adequately supplied by this artery, and we had therefore used this flap to repair burn scar in the neck. Results 30 cases obtained satisfactory clinical results with this flap. The follow-up for two years in 18 patients showed that the neck of the patients moved about freely, and the develpment of the chin was not influenced, and the color of flaps was fine. Conclusion The blood supply of the flap is reliable and stable. So it is a very useful method in reconstructing the burn scar of the chin-neck in children.

Applied anatomy of scapular spine bone flap pedicled with supraspinous branch of suprascapular artery / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To provide applied anatomic bases for the transplantation of scapular spine bone flap pedicled with supraspinous branch of suprascapular artery Methods The origin,course,branches and distribution were observed on 30 adult cadaver specimens;the operative designs were imitated on 6 specimens Results The supraspinous branch originated from suprascapular artery,went between supraspinatus muscle and scapular bone medially,and divided into 3～4 periosteal branches to scapular spine with a diameter of 0 5～0 8mm The length of stem of supraspinous branch was (4 8?0 6)cm Conclusions The transplantation of scapular spine bone flap pedicled with supraspinous branch of suprascapular artery is feasible