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.
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.
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.
OBJECTIVE To introduce a skin flap containing the middle cutaneous branch of the medial plantar artery. METHODS Microanatomic study was performed on 8 fresh cadaveric feet, the arteries were dissected and infused with methylene blue to observe their vascular distribution and the skin area supplied by the middle cutaneous branch. Furthermore, the clinical application was reported. A local pedicled flap containing the middle cutaneous branch was used to repair the soft tissue defects of the foot in 7 patients, and free cutaneous graft was used to repair the skin defects of the fingers in 6 patients. RESULTS The results showed that the medical plantar artery gave off 3 cutaneous branches to supply the medial aspect of the foot, among which the middle branch was the largest one and anastomosed with the other two branches. The skin flaps used clinically were all survived completely. CONCLUSION Medial plantar cutaneous graft had a reliable blood supply, and it’s one of the best choice in repairing small to middle sized skin defects of the foot and the fingers.
ObjectivesTo evaluate the reproducibility of Heidelberg retina tomograph (HRT) macular edema module(MEM) measuring the macular retinal thickness.MethodsSixty-two healthy volunteers (9-68 years old) were examined by HRT-II procedure. The retinal signal width (SW) at macula and fovea and macular edema index (E) were recorded for t-test, Pearson linear-correlation analysis. Intra-subject variation repeatedly measured was analyzed with coefficient of variation, 95% tolerance limits of change (TC), and intraclass coefficient of correlation (ICC). ResultsIn healthy individuals, retinal SW was (0.734±0.236) mm at macula，and (0.781±0.243) mm at fovea; macular E was (1.169±0.619). The coefficient of variation repeatedly measured: retinal SW was (8.7±68)%，retinal SW at the fovea was (8.5±6.7)%, and the average was (15.6±13.9)%; 95%TC of intra-subject sequential repeated measurement was 0.131 (8.9%) of retinal SW, 0.137 (10.5%)of fovea SW，and 0.198 (7.4%) of average E. ICC of one individual repeatedly measured by one operator was 0.950 of macular SW, 0.949 of fovea SW, and 0.898 of average edema index.ConclusionsHRT-II MEM is noninvasive, fast and highly reproducible, which provides a new technique to monitor the objective quantification of macular diseases related to retinal thickness. ( Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:103-105)
Objective To study the human optic canal and its inner structures, and provide anatomic knowledge of this area for optic nerve decompression and further study in pathologic mechanisms of indirect optic nerve injury. Methods Serial sections of the 18 optic canals of adults were made at orbital, middle and cranial parts. Quantitative measurements of the canal wall thickness, canal transverse area, dural sheath transverse area, optic nerve transverse area, and subarachnoid space transverse area were done by means of IMAGEPRO morphometric analysis system. Subarachnoid space transverse area to canal transverse area ratio (SSTA/CTA) and subarachnoid space transverse area to dural sheath transverse area ratio (SSTA/DSTA) were calculated. Results The middle portion of medial wall is the thinnest part of the canal (0.35plusmn;0.48)mm. The middle part of the optic canal was the narrowest part and the transverse area was (17.54plusmn;2.12)mm2. From cranial end to orbital end, SSTA/CTA, SSTA/DSTA and the subarachnoid space transverse area became smaller and smaller. Conclusion Since the potential space is limited, even a tiny amount of blood or sweling of the nerve may cause optic compression. Due to the potential space gradually decreases from cranial end to orbital end and the narrowest portion of the canal is in the middle part, the middle part and the anterior part of the optic canal are critical in optic narve decompression. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1999,15:24-26)
Objective To provide the anatomic basis for thelag screw placement in the anterior column of the acetabulum. Methods Twenty-two pelvis specimens with 44 acetabula of the native adult cadavers were studied. The anthropometric measurement was performed on 44 acetabula to determine the shape of the transverse section of the anterior column of the acetabulum, the optimal entry point for the lag screw on the outer table of the ilium, the direction of the screw, and the distance from the entry point to the obturator groove. Results The transverse section of the anterior column of the acetabulum was almost triangle-shaped. The path for the lag screw placement was 10.5±0.8 mm in diameter. The optimal entry point on the posterolateral ilium for the screw fixation was found toexist 9.2±2.4 mm superior to the line between the anterior superior iliac spine and the greater sciatic notch and 38.5±3.8 mm superior to the greater sciatic notch. The distance from the entry point to the obturator groove was 84.1±6.2 mm. The inclination of the lag screw was 54.2±5.5° at the caudal direction in the sagittal plane and 40.7±3.8° in the horizontal plane. The device for the safe screw placement in the anterior column was designed. Conclusion The above datacan facilitate an insertion of one 6.5 mm lag screw into the anterior acetabular column and minimize the risk of articular violation or cortical penetration, which has a narrow margin of safety. The safe length of the lag screw should be 70 mm.The optimal entry point on the posterolateral ilium for the screw fixationis determined to be 10 mm superior to the line between the anterior superior iliac spine and the greater sciatic notch and 40 mm superior to the greater sciatic notch. The inclination of the lag screw should be 55° at the caudal direction in the sagittal plane and 40° in the horizontal plane. It is safe to place thelag screw in the anterior column with the help of the targeting device.
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.