Persistent median artery and communicating branch related to the superficial palmar arch.

Microvascular surgery, plastic and reconstructive hand surgery, and coronary artery bypass surgery call for a microanatomical study of the branching pattern of the superficial palmar arch (SPA). For the anatomical analysis, we used a group of 20 dissected human hands injected with 4% formaldehyde solution and a 10% mixture of melted gelatin and India ink. The morphometric study was performed on 40 human hands of adult persons injected with methyl-methacrylate fluid into the ulnar and radial arteries simultaneously and afterwards corroded in 40% KOH solution for the preparation of corrosion cast specimens. The mean diameter of the SPA, between the second and third common palmar digital arteries, was 1.86 ± 0.08 mm. We identified the persistent median artery (PMA) in 5% of hands. We distinguished the three main groups of the SPAs according to variations in morphology and branching of the arch: Type 1, the long SPA; Type 2, the middle length SPA; and Type 3, the short SPA found in 27.5% of specimens. The communicating branch (CB), a vessel interconnecting the SPA to the closest branch of the radial artery, is classified into two different morphological groups. The third type of incomplete short arterial arch is the most important of the three groups of SPAs. That short SPA is potentially inadequate for restoring circulation after occlusion or radial artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass.

Effect of Donor Site Selection for Fat Grafting on the Yield and Viability of the Stromal Vascular Fraction.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) treatment, or stem cell treatment, directly depends on the SVF cell count and the cells' viability. The SVF cell count and viability are in direct correlation with the adipose tissue harvesting site that yields SVF cells, making this research a contribution to developing tissue guidance. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of harvesting subcutaneous adipose tissue-derived SVF cells on the concentration and viability of SVF. METHODS: Adipose tissue was collected by vibration-assisted liposuction from the regions of the upper and lower abdomen, lumbar region, and inner thigh region. With the semiautomatic UNISTATION 2nd Version system, the obtained fat was chemically processed (with collagenase enzyme) and a concentrate of SVF cells was obtained by centrifugation. These samples were then analyzed with the Luna-Stem Counter device to measure the number and viability of SVF cells. RESULTS: When comparing the regions of the upper abdomen, lower abdomen, lumbar region, and inner thigh, the highest concentration of SVF was found in the lumbar region, specifically at an average of 97,498.00 per 1.0 mL of concentrate. The lowest concentration was found in the upper abdominal region. When ranking the viability values, the highest cell viability of SVF was observed in the lumbar region, measuring 36.6200%. The lowest viability was found in the upper abdominal region, measuring 24.4967%. CONCLUSIONS: By comparing the upper and lower abdominal, lumbar, and inner thigh regions, the authors have come to the conclusion that, on average, the largest number of cells with the highest viability was obtained from the lumbar region.

Otoplasty: a modified Chong-Chet technique with positive long-term results.

BACKGROUND: In the last few decades, many techniques have been developed to correct prominent ear deformities. Modified Chong-Chet otoplasty represents a new and improved classical Chong-Chet procedure for prominent ear surgery. This study evaluates and compares the long-term results of standard Chong-Chet otoplasty with the modified technique. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients undergoing otoplasty at the Special Hospital S-tetik Banja Luka between January 17, 2017, and February 5, 2019. The total number of patients undergoing the procedure was 129. The first group (48 patients) underwent otoplasty using the Chong-Chet technique, while the second group (81 patients) underwent a modified Chong-Chet procedure. All patients were randomly selected on the condition that the antihelix was absent.The data were processed and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 24 using nonparametric tests (χ2 test, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test). RESULTS: Every second patient was satisfied (19 patients were partially satisfied and five patients were completely satisfied) with the results of the classical Chong-Chet technique. Seven patients were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, while 17 patients were dissatisfied (11 patients were completely dissatisfied and 6 patients were mostly dissatisfied). As for the modified method, on average, nine out of 10 patients (73 or 90.1%) were satisfied, of which 49 patients (60.5%) were completely satisfied and 24 patients (29.6%) were mostly satisfied.The statistical significance was P < .05.Research results point to the modified Chong-Chet technique being a significant improvement to the classical method. CONCLUSION: Modified Chong-Chet technique increases the number of positive long-term results and significantly improves the standard method.

Anatomy of septocutaneous blood vessels of the anterior forearm.

Aim To measure a calibre of radial and ulnar septocutaneous perforators at the anterior forearm, and to count its number in proximal, middle and distal thirds. Methods The study was conducted on 50 fresh amputated forearms (trauma, tumours) in the period between January 2012 and December 2021. Forearms were collected from several hospitals in Belgrade, and analysed at the Institute of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Belgrade, Serbia. Injection of ink-gelatin and fine dissection of autopsy material was performed on 30 forearms, and corrosion method with injecting methyl methacrylate for 3D analysis on the other 20 forearms. Results A mean calibre of septocutaneous perforators on the radial artery was 0.53±0.46 mm (0.2-0.85). Averagely, there were 8.1 radial artery septocutaneous perforators - two perforators on the proximal third, 3.7 on the middle third, and 2.7 on the distal third. The mean calibre of ulnar artery perforators was 0.65±0.35 mm (0.18-1.8). The average number of septocutaneous perforators of the ulnar artery was 5.6; 1.2 on the proximal third, two on the middle third, and 2.2 on distal third. Conclusion Determination of the origin, calibre and spreading directions of the arterial septocutaneous perforators on the anterior forearm provide quantification of data about arborisation of radial and ulnar septocutaneous perforators at the anterior forearm. Clinical relevance of those anatomical data is in defining of safe locations and dimensions of forearm fasciocutaneous flaps in plastic surgery.