An anatomic study of the dorsal forearm perforator flaps / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To provide anatomical landmarks with which to facilitate flap dissection,we studied the perforator artery of the dorsal forearm including its source,quantity,origination,caliber,variation and pedicle length. Methods Ten fresh cadavers were injected with a modified lead oxide-gelatin mixture,and three-dimensional graphics of the perforator vessels of the dorsal forearm were reconstructed with a computed tomography. In addition, twenty upper extremity specimens were injected with red latex via the axillary artery.The integument of the forearm was dissected,and perforators were identified,including type,course,size and location were documented.Surface areas were measured with Scion Image. Results The average number of the posterior interosseous artery cutaneous perforators in the dorsal forearm was (5±2),the average outer diameter of the perforator artories was (0.5 ± 0.1) mm,and the pedicle length was (2.5 ±0.2) cm.The average cutaneous vascular territory was (22.0 ± 15.0) cm2.The dorsal branch of the anterior interosseous artery dispersed on the wrist dorsum or the distal third of the dorsal forearm. It's average diameter was 0.8 mum. Conclusion The free transplantation of the posterior interosseous perforator artery flaps or rotary flap pedicled by the dorsal branch of the anterior interosseous artery for defect reconstruction are feasible.