OBJECTIVE: To study the anatomical basis for reconstruction of vertebral artery with neighboring non-trunk arteries. METHODS: Twenty preserved adult cadavers were used in this study to observe the morphology of superior thyroid artery, inferior thyroid artery, transverse cervical artery, thyrocervical trunk and extracerebral portion of vertebral artery, and reconstruction of vertebral artery with these arteries was simulated in two preserved cadavers. RESULTS: The calibers of superior or inferior thyroid artery, or transverse cervical artery were more than 2 mm in diameter, and the arteries had suitable free length for end-to-side anastomosis with vertebral artery. Thyrocervical artery had similar caliber to vertebral artery so that end-to-end anastomosis could be carried out between them, but only 38.5% of this artery had adequate artery trunk (more than 10 mm). It was proved from the simulated procedures that the reconstruction of vertebral artery with these neighboring non-trunk arteries was possible. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of vertebral artery with neighboring non-trunk arteries has anatomical basis and can be used clinically for treatment of the lesion affecting the first or second portion of vertebral artery.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the kidney anatomic structure of banna minipig inbred-lines, and to provide data for kidney xenotransplantation. METHODS: The fresh and infused kidneys of banna minipig (including the vessel and the ureter) were checked by anatomic microscope and vernier caliper in original location and away body. The tissue structure was observed by HE stain. RESULTS: The structure of kidney of banna minipig inbred-lines (including the vessel and the ureter) are similar to that of human being. The fascia propria of kidney is divided into three layers including capsula fibrosa, capsula adipose and fascia renalis. The thickness of cortex renalis is (20.0 +/- 2.4) mm. The average diameter of renal artery is 5.1 mm and is similar to that of human being. All the kidneys of banna minipig inbred-lines have a single branch renal artery. The diameters of left and right ureters are 5.1 mm and 4.7 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: The kidney of banna minipig inbred-lines is an ideal replacement of human kidney for xenotransplantation.
Objective To provide the anatomic basis for the posterior urethral repair via the perineal approach. Methods The anatomicconstructions andtheir relationships of the perineal approach from skin to the membranous and prostate apical urethra were observed and some related data were measured in 12 adult male specimens by microanatomy, and the procedures of urethral repair via the perineal approach were carried out in 3 fresh male specimens. Results All the blood vessels and nerves, which supplied the scrotum, the perineum, and bulbourethra, passed lateral-medially. The cavernous nerves coursed posterolaterally from the bottom to the apex of the prostate, pierced the urogenital diaphragm and passed laterally to themembranous urethra in a status of gridding, whose width was (12.11±2.32) mm.Conclusion The structures of the perineum and around the posterior urethra are complicated. The strategy for diminishing the damages to them is that all structures must be dissected strictly in the midline. Confining the dissections strictly to the range of 5 mm from the membranous urethra and resecting the apical prostatic tissues anterolaterally could avoid impairments of the cavernous nerves.
Objective To study the clinical anatomical basis of the liver hanging maneuver through research of applied anatomy. Methods Retrohepatic portions of the inferior vena cava of 21 cadaver were observed intracavitarily, and the numbers of short hepatic vein (SHV) opening were counted based on different possible pathway of the liver hanging maneuver and different width of retrohepatic tunnel (10 mm, 6 mm). Results The number of SHV was 0 to 3 (median=1) using standard pathway of the liver hanging maneuver in 6 mm retrohepatic tunnel, and the number of SHV was 0 to 2 (median=0) using EM pathway that was on the right border of retrohepatic portion of the inferior vena cava and 1 cm away from the inferior border of liver. There was a significant difference between the EM pathway and standard pathway, P=0.003.Conclusion The results show that setting up a retrohepatic tunnel through the liver hanging maneuver is feasible and safe.
Objective To investigate the anatomical evidence of low end-to-side anastomosis of median nerve and ulnar nerve in repair of Dejerine Klumpke type paralysis or high ulnar nerve injury. Methods Twelve formaldehyde anticorrosion specimens (24 sides) and 3 fresh specimens (6 sides) were observed. There were 9 males (18 sides) and 6 females(12 sides). The specimen dissected under the microscope. S-shape incision was made at palmar thenar approaching ulnar side, the profundus nervi ulnaris and superficial branch of ulnar nerve were separated through near end of incision, and the recurrent branch of median nerve and comman digital nerve of the ring finger were separated through far end of incision. The distances from pisiform bone to the start point of the recurrent branch of median nerve, and to the start point of comman digital nerve of the ring finger were measured. The width and thickness of the profundus nervi ulnaris and superficial branch of ulnar nerve, and the recurrent branch of median nerve and comman digital nerve of the ring finger were measured, and the cross-sectional area was calculated. The number of nerve fiber was determined with HE staining and argentaffin staining. Results The crosssectional area and the number of nerve fiber were (2.46 ± 1.03) mm2 and 1 305 ± 239 for the profundus nervi ulnaris, (2.62 ± 1.75) mm2 and 1 634 ± 343 for the recurrent branch of median nerve, (1.60 ± 1.39) mm2 and 1 201 ± 235 for the superficial branch of ulnar nerve, and (2.19 ± 0.89) mm2 and 1 362 ± 162 for the comman digital nerve of the ring finger. There were no significant differences (P gt; 0.05) in the cross-sectional area and the number of nerve fiber between the profundus nervi ulnaris and the recurrent branch of median nerve, between the superficial branch of ulnar nerve and the comman digital nerve of the ring finger; and two factors had a l inear correlation (P lt; 0.05) with correlation coefficients of 0.68, 0.66 and 0.56, 0.36. The distances were (36.98 ± 4.93) mm from pisiform bone to the start point of the recurrent branch of median nerve, and (28.35 ± 6.63) mm to the start point of comman digital nerve of the ring finger. Conclusion Low end-to-side anastomosis of median nerve and ulnar nerve has perfect match in the cross-sectional area and the number of nerve fiber.
Objective To provide the anatomical basis for the appl ication of the superficial inferior epigastric artery flap. Methods Ten cadavers which were immersed in formal in less than 6 months and were perfused by red latex were used in this study. There were 8 males and 2 females with an average age of 58 years (range, 35-78 years). The origin, course, branch,distribution, diameter, pedicle length, and neighbour of superficial inferior epigastric artery and vein were observed in the 2 sides of inguinal region. Results In these series of 10 cadaver (20 sides) dissections, the superficial inferior epigastric artery was identified in 18 sides, which average cal iber was 1.48 mm with a mean vascular pedicle length of 4.80 cm. In 11 sides, the superficial inferior epigastric artery arose aspart of a common trunk with one or more other vessels; in other 7, it originated from the femoral. There were 4 branch modes of superficial inperior epigastric artery: single trunks (5 sides), double ramification (3 sides), single lateral ramification (7 sides), and single medial ramification (3 sides). The superficial inferior epigastric vein was observed in 20 sides, which average cal iber was 2.33 mm with a mean sides pedicle length of 5.45 cm. In 8 sides, the venous drainage was as an individual vein; in 12 sides, both patterns were observed (a pair of venae comitantes and an individual vein). Conclusion The inferior epigastric artery flap can be appl ied to microsurgical flap transfer, potentially in breast reconstruction, phalloplasty, reconstruction of head, neck and four l imbs defects.
Objective To explore the arterial origin and the distribution of the extracranial branches of the facial nerve. Methods Red latex or red chlorinated polyvinyl chloride was injected into the arteries of 15 fresh adult head specimens by both common carotid artery catheterization. The arterial origin and distribution of the extracranial branches of the facial nerve were observed. Results The nutrient arteries of the extracranial branches of the facial nerve originated from stylomastoid artery of the posterior auricular artery, the facial nervous branch of superficial temporal artery, transverse facial artery, superior and inferior facial nervous branches of external carotid artery and the posteriorand anterior facial nervous branches of external carotid artery. The outer diameters of them were (0.8±0.2) mm, (0.9±0.4) mm, (1.9±0.3) mm, (1.0±0.2) mm, (1.1±0.4) mm, (1.0±0.2) mm and (1.1±0.6) mm respectively. The sub-branches ofthe attendant artery of the facial nerve anastomosed each other in addition to supplying their own nerve, and a rich vascular network was formed between the facial nerve and adjacent tissue. Conclusion The study on blood supply of the extracranial segment of the facial nerve can provide anatomic basis for avoiding injury of the nutrient arteries of the facial nerve during operation of the parotidean and masseteric region clinically.
Objective To investigate the anatomic foundation of using main branch of posterior femoral nerve to restore the sensation function of distal basedsural island flap. Methods Thirty cases of adult human cadaver legs fixed by 4%formaldehyde were used. Anatomical investigation of the posterior femoral nerves of lower legs was conducted under surgical microscope to observe their distribution, branches and their relationship with small saphenous vein. Nerve brancheswith diameter more than 0.1 mm were dissected and accounted during observation.The length and diameter of the nerves were measured. Results The main branch of posterior femoral nerve ran downwards from popliteal fossa within superficial fascia along with small saphenous vein. 70% of the main branch of the posterior femoral nerves lay medially to small saphenous vein, and 30% laterally. They wereclassified into 3 types according to their distribution in lower legs: typeⅠ (33.3%) innervated the upper 1/4 region of lower leg (region Ⅰ), type Ⅱ (43.3%) had branches in upper 1/2 region (region Ⅰ and Ⅱ), and type Ⅲ (23.3%) distributed over the upper 3/4 region (region Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ). In type Ⅱ, the diameter of the main branches of posterior femoral nerves in the middle of popliteal tossa was 10±04 mm and innervated the posterior upper-middle region (which was the ordirary donor region of distal based sural island flaps) of lower legs with 2.0±0.8 branches, whose diameter was 0.3±0.2 mm and length was 3.5±2.7 mm. The distance between the end of these branches and small saphenous vein was 0.8±0.6 mm. In type Ⅲ, their diameter was 1.2±0.3 mm and innervated the posterior upper-middle region of lower legs with 3.7±1.7 branches, whose diameter was 0.4±0.1 mm and length was 3.7±2.6 mm. The distancebetween the end of these branches and small saphenous vein was 0.8±0.4 mm. Conclusion 66.6% of human main branch of posteriorfemoral nerves (type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ) can be used to restore the sensation of distal based sural island flap through anastomosis with sensor nerve stump of footduring operation.
Objective To investigate the blood supply of the ulnar nerve in the elbow region and to design the procedure of anterior transposition of ulnar nerve accompanied with arteries for cubital tunnel syndrome.Methods The vascularity of the ulnar nerve was observed and measured in20adult cadaver upper limb specimens. And the clinical surgical procedure was imitated in 3 adult cadaver upper limb specimens. Results There were three major arteries to supply the ulnar nerve at the elbow region: the superior ulnar collateral artery, the inferior ulnar collateral artery and the posterior ulnar recurrent artery. The distances from arterial origin to the medial epicondyle were 14.2±0.9, 4.2±0.6 and 4.8±1.1 cm respectively. And the total length of the vessels travelling alone with the ulnar nerve were 15.0±1.3,5.1±0.3 and 5.6±0.9 cm. The external diameter of the arteries at the beginning spot were 1.5±0.5, 1.2±0.3 and 1.4±0.5 mm respectively. The perpendicular distance of the three arteries were 1.2±0.5,2.7±0.9 and 1.3±0.5 cm respectively.Conclusion It is feasible to perform anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve accompanied with arteries for cubital tunnel syndrome. And the procedure preserves the blood supply of the ulnar nerve following transposition.
Objective To improve the clinical utility of the plantaris tendon mainly by summarizing its anatomical characteristics, biomechanical properties, harvesting methods, and its applications in ligament reconstruction. Methods The relevant literature from domestic and international databases regarding the anatomical and biomechanical characteristics of the plantaris tendon and its applications in ligament reconstruction was comprehensively reviewed and systematically summarized. Results The plantaris tendons have an absence. The majority of plantaris tendon forms a fan-shape on the anterior and medial sides of the Achilles tendon and terminates at the calcaneal tuberosity. There are significant differences in biomechanical parameters between plantaris tendon with different numbers of strands, and multi strand plantaris tendon have significant advantages over single strand tendon. The plantaris tendon can be harvested through proximal and distal approaches, and it is necessary to ensure that there are no obvious anatomical variations or adhesions in the surrounding area before harvesting. The plantaris tendon is commonly utilized in ligament reconstruction around the ankle joint or suture reinforcement for Achilles tendon rupture, with satisfactory effectiveness. There is limited research on the use of plantar tendon in the reconstruction of upper limb and knee joint ligaments. Conclusion The plantaris tendon is relatively superficial, easy to be harvested, and has less impact on local function. The plantaris tendon is commonly utilized in ligaments reconstruction around the ankle joint or suture reinforcement for Achilles tendon rupture. The study on the plantaris tendon for upper limbs and knee joints ligament reconstruction is rarely and require further research.