Vascular anatomy relevant to distal biceps tendon repair.

BACKGROUND: Avoiding bleeding and vascular complications in open repair of distal biceps tendon rupture requires knowledge of the local vascular anatomy. This study examined the vascular anatomy relevant to distal biceps tendon repair. METHODS: The antecubital regions of 17 cadaveric upper extremities were dissected using ×2.5 loupe magnification to identify the brachial artery, the radial artery and its recurrent branches, and venous branches crossing the distal biceps tendon. With the elbow in full extension and supination, the position of each vascular structure was measured relative to the most proximal aspect of the bicipital tuberosity. RESULTS: The most common pattern (13 of 17 specimens) was a single radial recurrent artery (RRA) crossing volar to the tendon at a mean of 4 mm proximal to the tuberosity and positioned 15.4 mm volar to the tuberosity. The RRA bifurcated 2 to 9 mm from its origin in 6 arms and demonstrated a single bifurcation. In 8 of 17 specimens, an additional recurrent branch off the brachial artery traveled dorsal to the intact biceps tendon 16 mm proximal to the RRA. Two arms demonstrated a high brachial artery bifurcation. The crossing veins were venae comitantes of the RRAs and radial and ulnar arteries. They connected to the superficial veins by way of a perforating branch. Most often, 3 transverse veins positioned on average 0.2 mm proximal and 16 mm volar to the tuberosity were seen. CONCLUSIONS: The vascular anatomy encountered during distal biceps repair is variable, and RRAs occasionally travel dorsal to the biceps tendon. Most often, a single RRA on average 4 mm proximal to the tuberosity will branch once.

Awkward defects around the elbow: The radial recurrent artery flap revisited.

BACKGROUND: Soft tissue defects on the posterior aspect of the elbow are commonly seen in patients treated with internal fixation for fractures around the elbow joint. An axial flap based on the radial recurrent artery (RRA) is very useful for such defects, especially if a posterior midline arm incision has been taken for skeletal fixation. The aim of this study is to describe the usefulness of RRA flap (based on the RRA) in the management of such defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present a retrospective analysis of 4 cases managed with the RRA flap for soft tissue reconstruction of defects around the elbow joint at our institute from January 2015 to August 2016. All the patients were males with a history of exposed implant following internal fixation of olecranon/distal humerus fracture. The size of defects ranged from 4 cm × 4 cm to 7 cm × 5 cm. Results of the analysis are presented here. RESULTS: All flaps survived completely. There was no infection, hematoma or distal neurovascular deficit. There was minimal donor site morbidity. CONCLUSION: The RRA flap is a useful, simple flap for defects around the elbow joint in select patients providing one stage, reliable, cosmetically acceptable coverage.

Rama muscular hipertrófica de la arteria recurrente radial (Cuerda de Henry) en relación con el ramo profundo del nervio radial: reporte de caso / Hypertrophic muscular branch of radial recurrent artery (Leash of Henry), in relation to the deep branch of radial nerve: case report

La arteria recurrente radial nace en el extremo proximal de la arteria radial y desde ahí asciende oblicuamente para anastomosarse con la arteria colateral radial, entregando en ese trayecto una serie de ramas para los músculos cercanos. Dicha arteria junto con sus ramas fueron descritas (por su importancia en abordajes quirúrgicos) por Arnold K. Henry como "the radial leash". Actualmente en clínica se utiliza el nombre "leash of Henry" para referirse a una o más ramas musculares de la arteria recurrente radial, sobretodo cuando cuando se encuentran en relación con el ramo profundo del nervio radial, pudiendo llegar a causar compresiones de dicho nervio en algunos casos. Se realizó una descripción de caso de una leash of Henry atípica, encontrada en una muestra cadavérica del laboratorio de anatomía de la Universidad Católica del Maule, de sexo masculino y nacionalidad chilena. La arteria encontrada corresponde a la rama de mayor calibre de la arteria recurrente radial, que se dirige directamente al músculo extensor de los dedos, dibujando un trayecto horizontal y cruzando por anterior al ramo profundo del nervio radial. Esta hallazgo difere a lo descrito por Henry y otros autores más recientes, y por lo tanto aporta información potencialmente útil a la hora de realizar procedimientos quirúrgicos que requieran un abordaje posterior o lateral de la cabeza del radio, como también descompresiones del nervio radial en esta zona.

The radial recurrent artery originates at the proximal end of the radial artery and from there ascends obliquely to anastomosing with the radial collateral artery. It gives off several branches for nearby muscles on its path. This artery along with its branches were described (due to its importance in surgical approaches) by Arnold K. Henry as "the radial leash". Currently, in clinical terms, the name "Leash of Henry" is used to refer to one or more muscular branches of the radial recurrent artery, especially when they are in relation to the deep branch of the radial nerve, and may cause compression of the nerve in some cases. A case description of an atypical Leash of Henry was found, found in a Chilean, male cadaveric sample of the anatomy laboratory, Universidad Católica del Maule. The artery corresponds to the branch of greater caliber of the recurrent radial artery, which goes directly to the extensor digitorum muscle. It draws a horizontal path and crosses the deep branch of the radial nerve anteriorly. This finding differs from what was described by Henry and other more recent authors. Therefore, this is potentially useful information when performing surgical procedures that require a posterior or lateral approach to the radius head, as well as radial nerve decompressions in this area.