Gael Piquilloud1, Federico Villani, Vincent Casoli. 1. Service de Chirurgie Plastique, Reconstructrice, Esthétique et Brulés CHU Pellegrin, Centre François Xavier Michelet, CHU Pellegrin 1, Place Amélie Raba-Léon, 33076, Bordeaux, France.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The anatomical features of the posterior compartment of the arm seem to provide the basis to raise one of the smallest free muscular flaps, with minimal donor site morbidity: the medial triceps free flap. METHODS: The anatomic study was carried out on 27 fresh cadaver arms: 7 prepared for corrosion cast, 15 for simple dissection and 5 for dissection after latex injection. Morphological data of the muscle, as well as pedicle constancy and size, were recorded. RESULTS: The mean size of the medial head was 10.7 × 2.5 × 3.3 cm; the mean weight was 30.1 g. We found a constant and unique pedicle supplying the whole medial head of triceps muscle, composed by the middle collateral artery (MCA), two veins and a nerve. The mean length of MCA was 2.9 cm and the "extended" pedicle, including the deep brachial artery (DBA), was 8-12 cm long. At their origin, the mean caliber of MCA was 1.5 mm and the mean caliber of DBA 2.4 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirmed the reliability of the MC vessels and their anatomical relationships with the medial head of triceps brachii muscle, which could be harvested as a free flap or as a pedicled flap based on anterograde or retrograde flow. This technique should be safe, yielding mild donor site morbidity, and suitable in regional reconstruction or distant reanimations.
PURPOSE: The anatomical features of the posterior compartment of the arm seem to provide the basis to raise one of the smallest free muscular flaps, with minimal donor site morbidity: the medial triceps free flap. METHODS: The anatomic study was carried out on 27 fresh cadaver arms: 7 prepared for corrosion cast, 15 for simple dissection and 5 for dissection after latex injection. Morphological data of the muscle, as well as pedicle constancy and size, were recorded. RESULTS: The mean size of the medial head was 10.7 × 2.5 × 3.3 cm; the mean weight was 30.1 g. We found a constant and unique pedicle supplying the whole medial head of triceps muscle, composed by the middle collateral artery (MCA), two veins and a nerve. The mean length of MCA was 2.9 cm and the "extended" pedicle, including the deep brachial artery (DBA), was 8-12 cm long. At their origin, the mean caliber of MCA was 1.5 mm and the mean caliber of DBA 2.4 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirmed the reliability of the MC vessels and their anatomical relationships with the medial head of triceps brachii muscle, which could be harvested as a free flap or as a pedicled flap based on anterograde or retrograde flow. This technique should be safe, yielding mild donor site morbidity, and suitable in regional reconstruction or distant reanimations.
Authors: David M Godat; James R Sanger; Scott D Lifchez; René F Recinos; Ji-Geng Yan; Monica R Godat; Carlos E Ramirez; Hani S Matloub Journal: Plast Reconstr Surg Date: 2004-07 Impact factor: 4.730
Authors: W Wei; Q Zuoliang; L Xiaoxi; D Jiasheng; Y Chuan; K Hussain; H Hongtai; S Gontur; Z Li; M Hua; C Tisheng Journal: Plast Reconstr Surg Date: 1999-02 Impact factor: 4.730
Authors: Aran Pascual-Font; Teresa Vazquez; Fernando Marco; Jose R Sañudo; Marc Rodriguez-Niedenführ Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 2013-01-03 Impact factor: 4.176