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The microvascular anatomy of the metatarsal bones: a plastination study

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to categorize and systematize the arterial supply of the metatarsal bones and furthermore the observation of arterial lesions after frequently performed forefoot surgeries.

Materials and methods

Twenty-two cadaver feet were analyzed by two plastination methods and the enzyme maceration method. Five forefoot surgeries were performed after arterial injections.

Results

The bases of the metatarsal bones were primarily supplied by dorsal and plantar arteries. The arterial supply of the metatarsal diaphysis was given by a frequently observed nutrient artery. The first plantar metatarsal artery was the main supply of the first metatarsal head. The plantar and dorsal metatarsal arteries supplied the lesser metatarsals heads. The forefoot surgeries revealed lesions of arteries in all cases.

Conclusions

The plastination methods were excellent methods to analyze the arterial supply. In addition arterial damage after forefoot surgeries could be analyzed with these methods.

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Author notes

  1. Björn Rath

    Present address: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Regensburg, Kaiser-Karl V-Allee 3, 93077, Bad Abbach, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, University of Cologne, Joseph Stelzmann Str. 9, 50931, Cologne, Germany

    Björn Rath, Hans-Peter Notermans, Jutta Knifka & Jürgen Koebke

  2. Department of Surgery, Krankenhaus Neuwerk, Dünner Straße 214-216, 41066, Mönchengladbach, Germany

    Jan Franzen

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Klinik Fleetinsel Hamburg GmbH & Co KG, Admiralitätsstr. 4, 20459, Hamburg, Germany

    Jürgen Walpert

  4. Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Remigius Krankenhaus Opladen, An St. Remigius 26, 51379, Leverkusen, Germany

    Daniel Frank

Authors
  1. Björn Rath
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  2. Hans-Peter Notermans
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  3. Jan Franzen
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  4. Jutta Knifka
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  5. Jürgen Walpert
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  6. Daniel Frank
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  7. Jürgen Koebke
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Björn Rath.

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Rath, B., Notermans, HP., Franzen, J. et al. The microvascular anatomy of the metatarsal bones: a plastination study. Surg Radiol Anat 31, 271–277 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-008-0441-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-008-0441-3

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