Abstract
Purpose
There are few studies searching for possible perforator flap donor sites on the arm. This study aimed to identify the locations of cutaneous perforators of the arm according to anatomical landmarks.
Methods
Thirteen Thiel-fixed and latex-filled upper extremities of bodies donated to science were used. The distance between the acromion and medial or lateral epicondyle of the humerus was defined as the Y-axis, and the axis that cut the Y-axis perpendicularly through the epicondyles of the humerus was identified as the X-axis. The Y-axis was then divided into three parts Cutaneous arterial perforators were found using surgical dissection. The locations of the perforators were determined according to the defined lines and regions.
Results
On the lateral side, there were 6.00 ± 2.08 perforators per arm, of which 56.4% were septocutaneous and 43.6% muscular. In all extremities, with in the distal 1/3 of the lateral arm, there were 1–4 radial collateral artery-based perforators. The mean distance of these perforators to the Y-axis was 1.16 ± 0.53 cm. On the medial side, there were 5.05 ± 1.44 perforators per arm, which were all septocutaneous perforators. In 85% of the extremities, within the middle 1/3 of the medial arms, there were 1–2 superior ulnar collateral artery-based perforators. The mean distance of these perforators to the Y-axis was 1.53 ± 0.61 cm.
Conclusion
There are always perforators from the radial collateral artery with in the distal third of the lateral arm. Within the middle third of the medial arm, it is usually possible to find a perforator from the superior ulnar collateral artery.
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The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the donors and their families for their contribution to education and science.
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BK: Project development, data collection, data analysis, manuscript writing. GF: Data collection, manuscript editing. SKK: Data analysis. NA: Project development, data analysis, manuscript editing.
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Kaya, B., Feigl, G., Kose, S.K. et al. Cutaneous perforators of the arm and anatomical landmarks for defining the flap donor sites. Surg Radiol Anat 44, 1079–1089 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-022-02976-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-022-02976-x