Premium
The Frequency and Predictability of the Palmaris Longus and Plantaris Muscles: A Five Year Study
Author(s) -
Abramowitz Jason,
Ahamed Tarnima,
Weedon Jeremy,
Marquez Samuel
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.448.3
Subject(s) - medicine , mcnemar's test , anatomy , population , concordance , surgery , mathematics , statistics , environmental health
Due to their length and tensile strength, the homologous palmaris longus (PL) and plantaris (P) muscles (MM) have been frequently chosen by reconstructive surgeons for a variety of craniofacial plastic and cosmetic surgeries of replacement or repair of congenital ptosis, lip augmentation, as well as joint reinforcement. This five year study tracks the frequency (P/A) of these muscles as well as their ability to predict the P/A on the contralateral side. Donor specimens (n=83) from an urban population of the SUNY Downstate anatomy program were used. The presence and absence of the MM was assessed as well as the sex of the donor. 26 (31%) of the donors had an absence of at least one PL and 18 (22%) of the donors had an absence of at least one P, both of which numbers are higher than that noted in the literature. Of those missing a PL and P muscle, 53.8% and 33.3% were bilateral, respectively. Prevalence of an absent muscle on both L & R sides was significantly greater for PL than for P (exact McNemar test p=0.039). Substantial concordance was found for P/A of L & R PL (kappa=0.61) and of L & R P (kappa=0.42). Four (11%) of 38 females were absent all four MMs, compared with none of 45 males (Fisher exact test p=0.040). The high absence of both MM suggests that additional factors may be responsible for their P/A and should be considered by surgeons when selecting the tendons for reconstructive procedures. Grant Funding Source: SUNY Downstate Alumni Association