Vol 64, No 2 (2005)
Original article
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2005-03-03
Anatomical variations of the superficial and deep palmar arches
M Loukas, D Holdman, S Holdman
Folia Morphol 2005;64(2):78-83.
Vol 64, No 2 (2005)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2005-03-03
Abstract
The use of radial arteries as an arterial bypass conduit is an invasive procedure
which is becoming popular among various medical centres. The greatest risk
associated with harvesting the radial artery is ischaemia of the soft tissues of the
hand. In this study we dissected 200 hands derived from 100 formalin-fixed
cadavers in order to identify arterial patterns that will allow safe removal of the
radial artery for use in bypass procedures. A complete superficial palmar arch
(SPA) was found in 90% of the cases and divided into 5 types, while the remaining
10% possessed an incomplete palmar arch. Types of SPA are designated by
the letter S. In type S-I (40%), the SPA is formed by anastomosis of the superficial
volar branch of the radial artery to the ulnar artery. Type S-II (35%) is formed
entirely of the ulnar artery. Type S-III (15%) is formed by anastomosis of the
ulnar and median arteries. Type S-IV (6%) is formed by anastomosis of the ulnar,
radial, and median arteries and Type S-V (4%) is formed by a branch of the deep
palmar arch (DPA) communicating with the SPA.DPA was identified in all specimens
and classified into three types, all designated by the letter D. Type D-I
(60%) is formed by anastomosis of the deep volar branch of the radial artery and
the inferior deep branch of the ulnar branch. Type D-II (30%) is formed by anastomosis
of the deep volar branch of the radial artery and the superior deep
branch of the ulnar artery. Type D-III (10%) is formed by anastomosis of the
deep volar branch of the radial artery with both deep branches of the ulnar
artery. This data could provide an important source of information for vascular
surgeons harvesting radial arteries.
Abstract
The use of radial arteries as an arterial bypass conduit is an invasive procedure
which is becoming popular among various medical centres. The greatest risk
associated with harvesting the radial artery is ischaemia of the soft tissues of the
hand. In this study we dissected 200 hands derived from 100 formalin-fixed
cadavers in order to identify arterial patterns that will allow safe removal of the
radial artery for use in bypass procedures. A complete superficial palmar arch
(SPA) was found in 90% of the cases and divided into 5 types, while the remaining
10% possessed an incomplete palmar arch. Types of SPA are designated by
the letter S. In type S-I (40%), the SPA is formed by anastomosis of the superficial
volar branch of the radial artery to the ulnar artery. Type S-II (35%) is formed
entirely of the ulnar artery. Type S-III (15%) is formed by anastomosis of the
ulnar and median arteries. Type S-IV (6%) is formed by anastomosis of the ulnar,
radial, and median arteries and Type S-V (4%) is formed by a branch of the deep
palmar arch (DPA) communicating with the SPA.DPA was identified in all specimens
and classified into three types, all designated by the letter D. Type D-I
(60%) is formed by anastomosis of the deep volar branch of the radial artery and
the inferior deep branch of the ulnar branch. Type D-II (30%) is formed by anastomosis
of the deep volar branch of the radial artery and the superior deep
branch of the ulnar artery. Type D-III (10%) is formed by anastomosis of the
deep volar branch of the radial artery with both deep branches of the ulnar
artery. This data could provide an important source of information for vascular
surgeons harvesting radial arteries.
Keywords
deep palmar arch; superficial palmar arch; cardiac surgery; vascular surgery; radial artery; ulnar artery
Title
Anatomical variations of the superficial and deep palmar arches
Journal
Folia Morphologica
Issue
Vol 64, No 2 (2005)
Article type
Original article
Pages
78-83
Published online
2005-03-03
Page views
1011
Article views/downloads
3499
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2005;64(2):78-83.
Keywords
deep palmar arch
superficial palmar arch
cardiac surgery
vascular surgery
radial artery
ulnar artery
Authors
M Loukas
D Holdman
S Holdman