An anatomical study of flexor pollicis longus blood supply with specific reference to volar locking plate surgery.

The purpose of this study was to identify the vessels feeding the FPL to reduce the FPL tendon ruptures related to VLP surgery. The dissections identified the FPL, radial artery (RA) and anterior interosseous artery (AIA). The mean number of branches of the RA and AIA to the FPL was 2.0 and 4.0, respectively. The distance from volar prominence of the radius to the most distal branch of the RA and AIA was 43 mm and 57 mm, respectively. The most distal branch would be frequently injured during VLP surgery because of its proximity to the surgical field.