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Topographical anatomy of the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve and artery: a cadaver study

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Abstract

Purpose

The surgical anatomy of the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve and artery on the dorsal aspect of the hand is important in design of neurocutaneous flaps for reconstructive surgery and serves as a donor site for nerve grafts. In this study, the course, location, and diameter of the dorsal branches of the ulnar nerve and artery were studied from anatomical and reconstructive perspectives.

Methods

Upper limbs of 14 (7 left and 7 right) and 22 formalin-preserved adult cadavers (15 left and 7 right) were dissected in two different centers.

Results

The diameters of the ulnar nerve, artery, and their dorsal branches were measured at selected reference points. The distances to specific anatomical landmarks were also measured, during their courses from the proximal forearm towards the middle phalanges of the 4th and 5th fingers.

Conclusions

Our data may facilitate the design of neurocutaneous flaps nourished from the dorsal branches of the ulnar nerve and artery, and may aid in the harvesting of nerve grafts from the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve, and provide a safe surgical approach to the dorsum of the hand.

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Acknowledgments

We appreciate the support of the Faculty and Staff of Nothingam University School of Medicine, Queen’s Medical Centre Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology, with special thanks to Dr. Margaret Pratten, Dr. Lopa Leach, and Joanne Dransfield.

Conflict of interest

The authors state that there is no conflict of interest with any institution or a third party person.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kirikkale University, 71100, Kirikkale, Turkey

    Tarik Cavusoglu & Ilker Yazici

  2. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey

    Hilmi Ozden

  3. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey

    Ayhan Comert, Halil İbrahim Acar & Ibrahim Tekdemir

  4. 2nd Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Ali Teoman Tellioglu

Authors
  1. Tarik Cavusoglu
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  2. Hilmi Ozden
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  3. Ayhan Comert
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  4. Ilker Yazici
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  5. Halil İbrahim Acar
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  6. Ali Teoman Tellioglu
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  7. Ibrahim Tekdemir
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Correspondence to Tarik Cavusoglu.

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Cavusoglu, T., Ozden, H., Comert, A. et al. Topographical anatomy of the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve and artery: a cadaver study. Surg Radiol Anat 33, 229–233 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-010-0730-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-010-0730-5

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