Anatomical study of the accessory axillary vein in cadavers: a contribution to the axillary surgical approach / Estudo anatômico da veia axilar acessória em cadáveres: uma contribuição à abordagem cirúrgica axilar

Abstract Background The axillary vein is an important blood vessel that participates in drainage of the upper limb. Some individuals present a second axillary vein (accessory axillary vein), which is an important collateral drainage path. Objectives The goal of this study was to determine the incidence of the accessory axillary vein and to describe this vessel’s topography. Methods In this study, axillary dissections were carried out on twenty-four (24) human cadavers of both sexes that had been fixed with 10% formaldehyde. The upper limbs of the cadavers were still attached to the bodies and the axillary structures were preserved. Data collection was carried out and the axillary structures of the cadavers were compared. Results The incidence of accessory axillary veins was 58.3%, with no significant preference for sex or for side of the body. The accessory axillary vein originated from the lateral brachial vein in 39.28% of cases, from the common brachial vein in 35.71% of cases, and from the deep brachial vein in 25% of cases. Conclusions Its high incidence and clinical relevance make the accessory axillary vein important for provision of collateral circulation in the event of traumatic injury to the axillary vein.

Resumo Contexto A veia axilar é um importante vaso que participa da drenagem sanguínea do membro superior. Porém, em alguns indivíduos, é observada uma segunda veia axilar, denominada veia axilar acessória, que é uma notável via de drenagem colateral. Objetivos O objetivo desta pesquisa foi observar a prevalência da veia axilar acessória, bem como descrever a topografia desse vaso. Métodos Neste estudo foram realizadas dissecações das axilas em 24 cadáveres humanos fixados em formaldeído 10%, de ambos os sexos, que apresentavam os membros superiores articulados ao tronco e com as estruturas axilares preservadas. A coleta de dados foi realizada e as estruturas axilares dos cadáveres foram comparadas. Resultados Foi encontrada uma prevalência de 58,3% de veias axilares acessórias, não havendo predileção significativa por gênero nem por lado acometido. Também foi observado que, em 39,28% dos casos, a veia acessória era originada a partir da veia braquial lateral, em 35,71% a partir da veia braquial comum, e em 25% a partir da veia braquial profunda. Conclusão Devido à sua alta prevalência e relevância clínica, a veia axilar acessória também assume grande importância no tocante à circulação colateral diante de lesão traumática da veia axilar.

Anatomical study of the accessory axillary vein in cadavers: a contribution to the axillary surgical approach.

BACKGROUND: The axillary vein is an important blood vessel that participates in drainage of the upper limb. Some individuals present a second axillary vein (accessory axillary vein), which is an important collateral drainage path. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to determine the incidence of the accessory axillary vein and to describe this vessel's topography. METHODS: In this study, axillary dissections were carried out on twenty-four (24) human cadavers of both sexes that had been fixed with 10% formaldehyde. The upper limbs of the cadavers were still attached to the bodies and the axillary structures were preserved. Data collection was carried out and the axillary structures of the cadavers were compared. RESULTS: The incidence of accessory axillary veins was 58.3%, with no significant preference for sex or for side of the body. The accessory axillary vein originated from the lateral brachial vein in 39.28% of cases, from the common brachial vein in 35.71% of cases, and from the deep brachial vein in 25% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Its high incidence and clinical relevance make the accessory axillary vein important for provision of collateral circulation in the event of traumatic injury to the axillary vein.

CONTEXTO: A veia axilar é um importante vaso que participa da drenagem sanguínea do membro superior. Porém, em alguns indivíduos, é observada uma segunda veia axilar, denominada veia axilar acessória, que é uma notável via de drenagem colateral. OBJETIVOS: O objetivo desta pesquisa foi observar a prevalência da veia axilar acessória, bem como descrever a topografia desse vaso. MÉTODOS: Neste estudo foram realizadas dissecações das axilas em 24 cadáveres humanos fixados em formaldeído 10%, de ambos os sexos, que apresentavam os membros superiores articulados ao tronco e com as estruturas axilares preservadas. A coleta de dados foi realizada e as estruturas axilares dos cadáveres foram comparadas. RESULTADOS: Foi encontrada uma prevalência de 58,3% de veias axilares acessórias, não havendo predileção significativa por gênero nem por lado acometido. Também foi observado que, em 39,28% dos casos, a veia acessória era originada a partir da veia braquial lateral, em 35,71% a partir da veia braquial comum, e em 25% a partir da veia braquial profunda. CONCLUSÃO: Devido à sua alta prevalência e relevância clínica, a veia axilar acessória também assume grande importância no tocante à circulação colateral diante de lesão traumática da veia axilar.

Occurrence of metopism in dry crania of adult brazilians.

The metopic suture is located between the tubercles of the frontal bone. There are divergences regarding the exact time at which it closes, which ranges from the first to the tenth year of life, although it may persist into adulthood. This study was conducted on 134 dry crania from adult Brazilians, of which 95 were male and 39 were female. These were available in the anatomy laboratories of higher education institutions in Maceió, AL, Brazil. All the crania were examined macroscopically with regard to the presence (metopism: M) on absence of the metopic suture. M was considered to be complete (Mc) when it continued uninterruptedly from the nasium to the bregma and incomplete (Mi) when it was not present over its entire length. It was observed that Mc was present in 4.48% (6/134) of the skull examined, of which 50% (3/134) were male and 50% (3/134) were female. An incomplete metopic suture was found in 5.22% (7/144) of the crania and more frequently among males (3.73%; 5/134). Among the crania with a metopic suture, the dolichocephalic type predominated (7.46%) in relation to brachycephalic crania (1.49%) and mesocephalic crania (0.74%). There was no predominance of metopism between the sexes, while an incomplete metopic suture was slightly more common among males.