THE ARTERIAL BLOOD-SUPPLY OF THE DISTAL RADIUS AND ULNA AND ITS POTENTIAL USE IN VASCULARIZED PEDICLED BONE CRAFTS

We investigated the extra- and intraosseous blood supply of the distal radius and ulna (descriptive anatomy) and defined potential vasculari zed pedicled bone grafts to the carpal bones (applied anatomy). We stu died 41 cadaver upper limbs using several techniques including angiogr aphy, Batson's compound and latex injections, and bone clearing using a modified Spalteholtz technique. Several known arteries were describe d in greater detail, and numerous previously undescribed arteries were found and investigated. Vascularized pedicled grafts have potential a pplicability for carpal pathology. Several grafts have been described from the radius, second metacarpal, and pisiform. We have identified s everal vascular pedicles that provide the hand surgeon with additional options. Some of these grafts provide a wider are of relation, greate r ease of harvest and/or improved vascularity compared to many previou sly described grafts.