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Color Doppler Sonographic and Cadaveric Study of the Arterial Vascularity of the Lateral Upper Arm Flap
Author(s) -
Sun Ruimei,
Ding Yu,
Sun Chuanzheng,
Li Xiaojiang,
Wang Jinde,
Li Lei,
Yang Jie,
Ren Yanxin,
Zhong Zhaoming
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of ultrasound in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1550-9613
pISSN - 0278-4297
DOI - 10.7863/ultra.15.01032
Subject(s) - medicine , cadaveric spasm , radial artery , brachial artery , cadaver , vascularity , artery , anatomy , upper limb , radiology , volunteer , surgery , blood pressure , biology , agronomy
Objectives To determine the importance of adequate preoperative assessment with color Doppler sonography to assist in the successful transfer of lateral upper arm flaps by studying the lateral upper arm flap with color Doppler sonography and analyzing the anatomic features of the radial collateral artery. Methods A clinical case‐control study was performed. The radial collateral artery was studied with color Doppler sonography in 15 healthy volunteers. The origins, courses, variations, and locations of the perforators of the radial collateral artery were recorded. The results and data from the color Doppler sonographic investigation were compared with an anatomic study that was performed on 22 adult cadaveric upper limb specimens. Results The volunteer group (14 of 15 volunteers) and the cadaveric group (19 of 22 upper arm specimens) clearly showed that the branch pattern of the arterial supply was as follows: brachial artery → deep brachial artery → radial collateral artery → posterior radial collateral artery → myocutaneous perforator. Variations in the origin of the radial collateral artery were identified in 1 volunteer bilaterally and in 3 upper arm specimens. The diameters of the artery and vein measured at the distal insertion of the deltoid and the origin of the deep brachial artery were not significantly different between the volunteer and cadaver groups ( P > .05). Due to the difference in measuring methods, the length of the vascular pedicles was significantly different between the groups ( P < .05). Conclusions Color Doppler sonography can facilitate the preoperative assessment of the origin, course, variations, and locations of the radial collateral artery and therefore may increase the success rate of lateral upper arm flap transfer.