The applied anatomy of posterior interosseous artery cutaneous branches-chain flap

Objective To provide anatomy information for harvesting a pedicle or free posterior interosseous artery cutaneous branches-chain flaps. Methods Fourteen forearms from fresh human cadaver were used to study the anatomy characteristics of the posterior interosseous artery cutaneous branches-chain flaps with the following three methods:latex perfusion for microanatomy,denture materials and vinyl chloride mixed packing for cast,and PVA-bismuth oxide perfusion for molybdenum target X-ray arteriography.The cutaneous perforator with a diameter ≥ 0.2 mm were included for statistical analysis. Results ① There were 6.2 cutaneous branches raised from posterior interosseous artery. Measuring from the radial edge of ulnar head to the lateral epicondyle of humerus as the standard distance, the distal cutaneous branch clusters located at 21.24％ relative to the standard distance,while the proximal clusters located at 47.86％.② There were two large cutaneous perforators from the posterior interosseous artery at (5.82 ± 1.22)cm proximal to the ulnar styloid and (10.34 ±0.98)cm distal to the epicondyle of humerus.The diameter and pedicle length of the distal perforators were(0.50± 0.04)mm and (16.79 ± 5.12)mm respectively,while the proximal perforator were (0.60 ± 0.08 )mm in diameter with a pedicle (21.20 ± 12.28)mm in length.③ The vascular chains parallel to the posterior interosseous artery were formed via anastomosis of the adjacent cutaneous perforators. Conclusion There is clinical significance to use pedicle or free posterior interosseous artery cutaneous branches-chain flaps. Key words: Posterior interosseous artery;  Cutaneous branches-chain flap;  Applied anatomy; Tissue repair;  Forearm ;  Hand