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Musculocutaneous flap of the medial head of the triceps brachii: pedicled flap to cover the posterior cubital region

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Abstract

Introduction

The medial head of the triceps brachii flap is already described as a local muscular or as a free flap. It allows coverage of defects of the posterior cubital region. The aim of this study was to describe the vascular anatomy of the musculocutaneous medial triceps brachii pedicled flap.

Methods

Eleven fresh–frozen upper limbs (6 come from women and 5 from men) were proximally injected with Indian ink agar solution. The medial head of the triceps brachii muscle was dissected and the superior ulnar collateral artery (SUCA) was isolated with its collaterals. The collateral arteries were dissected to determine whether there were septocutaneous or musculocutaneous arteries for vascularization of the skin in front of the medial head. Lengths of those collaterals arteries were measured.

Results

The average number of collaterals arteries from the SUCA supplying the medial head of the triceps brachii is 4.5 (from 3 to 6 arteries). Among these collaterals’ arteries, there are one average 1.5 (0.6–4.5) septocutaneous arteries and 3 (1–4.8) musculocutaneous arteries.

Discussion and conclusion

A musculocutaneous flap with the medial head of the triceps brachii muscle can be described with the muscle. The SUCA gives perforator arteries musculocutaneous and septocutaneous for the vascularization of the triceps brachii medial head. The use of local pedicled flap with similar tissue maximizes healing with a minimal morbidity of the donor site. This study demonstrated the feasibility of the medial head triceps brachii musculocutaneous flap to cover defect of the posterior aspect of the elbow.

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Funding

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical School, Institute of Normal Anatomy, 4 rue Kirschleger, 67085, Strasbourg, France

    Alexandra Bruyere, Irène Ollivier & Philippe Clavert

  2. Shoulder and Elbow Service, University Hospital Hautepierre, 2, Avenue Moliere, 67200, Strasbourg, France

    Maxime Antoni & Philippe Clavert

  3. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Hautepierre, 2, Avenue Moliere, 67200, Strasbourg, France

    Frédéric Bodin

Authors
  1. Alexandra Bruyere
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  2. Irène Ollivier
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  4. Frédéric Bodin
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  5. Philippe Clavert
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Contributions

AB and PC made the dissections. AB is the first author who wrote the manuscript. IO, MA, and PC edited the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Philippe Clavert.

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Philippe Clavert is a paid consultant for Tornier and a member of the board of Surg Radiol Anat.

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Bruyere, A., Ollivier, I., Antoni, M. et al. Musculocutaneous flap of the medial head of the triceps brachii: pedicled flap to cover the posterior cubital region. Surg Radiol Anat 44, 479–484 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-022-02900-3

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