FURTHER STUDY ON THE VASCULAR BASIS FOR THE REIMPLANTATION OF THE HAND AMPUTATED THROUGH THE PALM

Based on the anatomic data obtained from earlier studies on the vascul ar anatomy of the hand, the vascular architecture in the palm of the h and was studied on 60 sides of unembalmed adult upper extremities. Eac h palm was divided into 64 squares by 8 sagittal and 8 transverse sect ions. The vascular architecture in these squares and the arterial rela tions between them were observed and measured by angiography, operativ e microscopic dissection and computerised three-dimensional reconstruc tion. According to the pattern of the blood-vessels, the amputated pal ms can be classified into 4 types. The anatomic basis for the vascular anastomosis in each type is defined. There are three key-areas for th e blood-supply of the palm and their significance is discussed. Apart from the 4 types of transversely amputated palms, the repair programe of the blood-vessels in 4 types of common obliquely amputated palms an also discussed.