Measurement and analysis of the perforator arteries in upper extremity for the flap design.

The aim of this study was to provide the anatomical basis for the skin flap pedicled with the nutrient vessels of the cutaneous nerves and cutaneous veins of the upper extremity. Radio-opaque material was injected into the common carotid arteries of five fresh cadavers. The skin and the fascia were meticulously dissected, removed, and radiographed. The Photoshop CS and Scion image 4.02 were used to analyze the cutaneous arteries, the density of vessels, and the vascular territories of the perforator arteries. The results showed that the cutaneous arteries of the upper extremity came from 16 original arteries, and accordingly, the superficial tissue of the upper extremity could be divided into 16 vascular territories. The external diameter and the area of blood supply of each perforator were growing downwards from the proximum to the distal end. But the points at which the perforator arteries came out from the deep tissue were concentrated near the cutaneous nerves and cutaneous veins, and the arteries formed vascular chains. The density of the arteries near the cutaneous nerves and cutaneous veins was much higher than that of other areas. This article discussed the regularity of the nutrient vessels of the cutaneous nerves and veins on the basis of the experimental results.

A new technique for lag screw placement in the dynamic hip screw fixation of intertrochanteric fractures: decreasing radiation time dramatically.

The goal of this study was to confirm the decrease in radiation time required for a new technique to place dynamic hip screws (DHS) in intertrochanteric fractures. Seventy-six patients were treated with DHS by either the new technique (NT) or the conventional technique (CT). The width of femoral shaft, the length of the hip screw to be implanted into the injured side, and the distance between the tip of the greater trochanter and the entry point of the guide wire were measured at the uninjured side on the anteroposterior pelvic radiograph preoperatively, and the actual width of the injured femoral shaft was measured intra-operatively. Finally, the entry point and the length of hip screw were obtained through an equation. Mean radiation time of the NT patients (24.57 +/- 7.80 s) was significantly shorter than the CT patients (54.2 +/- 18.26 s) (P < 0.001). The new technique decreased radiation time dramatically in DHS fixation.