Kk. Sheetz et al., THE ARTERIAL BLOOD-SUPPLY OF THE DISTAL RADIUS AND ULNA AND ITS POTENTIAL USE IN VASCULARIZED PEDICLED BONE CRAFTS, The Journal of hand surgery, 20A(6), 1995, pp. 902-914
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.