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 anatomy basis for a free latissimus dorsal muscular flap with the sensate nerve. METHODS: The structure of back and lateral chest area were dissected and the origin, alignment and distribution of the intercostals nerve within the area of latissimus dorsal muscular flap were observed in 40 adult cadaver specimens. RESULTS: The 5th to 10th lateral posterior branches of the thoracic nerve pierced from respective intercostal area near the axial anterior line and run a long distance in deep fascia. They distributed mainly in lateral latissimus skin outside the scapular line and anastomosed with the lower branch near the scapular line. Among these branchs, the 6th to 8th branches had a longer nerve distribution respectively and the pedicle of nerve and artery was parallel and long. CONCLUSION: It is possible to design a sensate latissimus dorsal muscular flap with the 6th to 8th lateral posterior branch of the intercostal nerve.
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 provide the anatomic evidences and the choice of tendon graft for anatomic reconstruction of posterolateral complex through the morphological and biomechanical study on posterolateral structures of the knee in normal adult cadavers. Methods Twenty-three fresh lower l imb specimens from voluntary donators and 9 lower l imbs soaked by Formal in were selected for anatomic study on the posterolateral complex of the knee. Six fresh specimens were appl ied to measure the maximum load, intensity of popl iteus tendon, lateral collateral l igament, and popl iteofibular l igament, which were key components of the posterolateral complex. Results Popl iteus musculotendinous junction was located at 7.02-11.52 mm beneath lateral tibial plateau and 8.22-13.94 mm medially to fibular styloid process. The distances from femoral insertion of popl iteus tendon to the lower border of femoral condyle and to posterior edge of femoral condyle were 10.52-14.38 mm and 14.24-26.18 mm, respectively. Popl iteofibular l igament originated from popl iteus musculotendinous junction and ended at fibular styloid process. Lateral collateral l igament was located at 10.54-16.48 mm inferior to fibular styloid process, and the distances from femoral insertion to the lower border of femoral condyle and to posterior edge of femoral condyle were 14.92-19.62 mm and 14.66-27.08 mm, respectively. The maximum load and intensity were 579.60-888.40 N and 20.50-43.70 MPa for popl iteus tendon, were 673.80-1 003.20 N and 24.30-56.40 MPa for lateral collateral l igament, and were 101.56-567.35 N and 8.94-36.16 MPa for popl iteofibular l igament, respectively. Conclusion During anatomical reconstruction of posterolateral complex, the bony tunnel of the key components should be located according to the insertion mentioned above. On the basis of this study, the maximum load and intensity of selectable grafts should exceed 833 N and 36 MPa.
PURPOSE:To evaluated the luminal characteristics of the elderly central retinal vessels in the anterior optic nerves. METHODS:Serial sections of 15 central retinal arteries(CRA)and 23 central retinal veins (CRA)of 18 eyes of the aged 60 to 82 years old without anatomic malformation were examined by image analysis to investigate their luminal dimensional differences at the sites of lamina cribrosa and just anterior and posterior to it. RESULTS:The average values of the mean area of the CRA in the prelaminar,laminar,retrolaminar portions were separately(12.70,17.40,18.00)times;10-3mm2 and the mean perimetric length 0.56,0.56,0.57mm.No significant difference was detected in these three sites.The average values of the mean area of the CRV were respectively(7.00,5.40,7.90))times;10-3mm2 and the mean perimetric length 0.44,0.38,0.41mm.There were marked differences between the prelaminar value and the laminar one,and between the laminar value and retrolaminar one by comparison. CONCLUSION:The CRA has a uniform radius from prelaminar to retrolaminar positions,and tube radius of the CRV at the level of the lamina cribrosa is the least. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1997,13: 213-214 )
To provide anatomical evidences for the blood supply compound flap based on fibular head to rebuild internal malleolus. Methods The morphology of vessels and bones in donor site and in recipient site was observed. The materials for the study were l isted as follows: ① Forty desiccative adult tibias (20 left and 20 right respectively) were used to measure the basilar width, middle thickness, anterior length, posterior length and introversion angle of internal malleolus; ② Forty desiccative adult fibulas (20 left and 20 right respectively) were used to measure the middle width and thickness, as well as the extraversion angle of articular surface of fibular head; ③ Thirty adult lower l imb specimens which perfused with red rubber were used to observe the blood supply relationships between the anterior tibial recurrent vessels and fibular head, and internal anterior malleolar vessels inside recipient site. Results The internal malleolus had a basilar width of (2.6 ± 0.2) cm, a middle thickness of (1.3 ± 0.2) cm, an anterior length of (1.4 ± 1.9) cm and a posterior length of (0.6 ± 0.1) cm. Its articular facet was half-moon. Its introversion angle was (11.89 ± 3.60)°. The fibular head had a middle thickness of (1.8 ± 0.6) cm, a middle width of (2.7 ± 0.4) cm. Its articular facet was toroid, superficial and cavate in shape, and exposed inwardsly and upwardsly, and had a extraversion angel of (39.2 ± 1.3)°. The anterior tibial recurrent artery directly began from anterior tibial artery, accounting for 93.3%. Its initiation point was (4.5 ± 0.7) cm inferior to apex of fibular head. Its main trunk ran through the deep surface of anterior tibial muscle, and ran forwards, outwards and upwards with sticking to the lateral surface of proximal tibia. Its main trunk had a length of (0.5 ±0.2) cm and a outer diameter of (2.0 ± 0.4) mm. Its accompanying veins, which had outer diameters of (2.1 ± 0.5) mm and (2.6 ± 0.4) mm, entry into anterior tibial vein. It constantly gave 1-2 fibular head branches which had a outer diameter of (1.7 ± 1.3) mm at (1.0 ± 0.4) cm from the initiation point. The internal anterior malleolar artery which began from anterior tibial artery or dorsal pedal artery had a outer diameter of (1.6 ± 0.4) mm. Its accompanying veins had outer diameters of (1.3 ± 0.5) mm and (1.1 ± 0.4) mm. Conclusion The blood supply compound flap based on fibular head had a possibil ity to rebuild internal malleolus. Its articular facet was characterized as the important anatomical basis to rebuild internal malleolus.
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.
In 10 adult specimens, we observed the distribution of the temporal branches of the facial nerve and its relation with the superficial temporal artery. The 6.3±0.9 temporal branches (5-8 branches, mean 6.3+0.9) went across the lateral margin of the M. frontalis and 10.3±2.2 branches entered the muscle. Their in-let, points were 2.86±5.35 mm upwardand outward of the outer canthus, and all points were about in one line. In conclusion, it was safe for surgeons, to operate in the "safe area" of the temporal region, medial to thevertical line to the outer canthus, without the risk to damage the branches of the facial nervc .
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 provide the anatomic bases for clinical application of the second dorsal metacarpal artery(SDMA) island flap with double pivot points. Methods The origin,branches and distribution of the recurrent cutaneous branch of the SDMA were observed in 30 adult fresh cadaver specimens, which were illustrated with special dye.Eighteen cases of skin defets of the thumb were repaired with the SDMA island flap. The defect locations were the dorsal part in 11 cases and palmar part in 7 cases, including 3 cases of defect in association with long pollical extensor defect and 2 cases of defect in association with dorsal skin defect of proximal finger. The flap area ranged from 2 cm×3 cmto 3 cm×5 cm. Results The appearance of therecurrent cutaneous branch of the SDMA was observed in all cases(100%), which originated 0.5±0.2 cm distant from the distal intersectiones between the SDMA and the index extensor and disappeared 1.2±0.5 cm distant from the proximal metacarpophalangeal joint. The branches of 1.7±0.7 were seen with a longitudinal fan-like distributionforward proximal part on the deep surface of the dorsal superficial vein. The exradius and the length of the recurrent cutaneous branch of the SDMA were 0.3±0.1 mm and 6.5±0.8 mm, respectively. The transplanted flaps survived in all cases and 16 cases were followed up for 8-14 months. The colour and appearance of the skin were satisfactory. The two-point discriminations were 0.9 mm in 3 cases by bridging digital nerve and 1.1 mm in 9 cases by anastomosing dorsal digital nerve; while the two-point discrimination was 13-15 mm in 4 cases without anastomosing nerve. Conclusion The origin,branches and distribution of the recurrent cutaneous branch of the SDMA is constant, which provide a potentially longer pedicle and increase the possibility to rotate the flap and also avoid the donor skin defect of rotation of the flap.