Anatomical basis of lateral antebrachial neurocutaneous flap pedicled with inferior cubital artery perforator

Abstract

Objective To provide anatomical basis for lateral antebrachial neurocutaneous flap pedi-cled with inferior cubital artery perforator in repairing tissue defects around elbow joint. Methods Thirty embalmed upper limbs of adult cadavers perfused with red latex were used for this study, and followings were observed:①The course and distribution of lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve; ②Anastomoses between inferior cubital artery and nutrient vessels of lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve. Mimic operation was performed on other side of fresh specimen. Results ①The main trunk of lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve (LACN) lined in the radial forearm and distributed in the 1/3 region of lateral forearm. ①The nutritional vessels of the flap were plurisegmental and polyphyletic. The inferior cubital artery which was relatively constant reached to skin through V-shaped peak formed by communicating branches of cephalic vein and deep venous system. They also gave off large number of small veins, which closely aligned with perineural branches and neural stem vascular chain of lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve. Conclusion The lateral antebrachial neurocutaneos flap pedicled with inferior cubital artery perforator can be formed to repaire tissue defects around elbow joint. Key words: Inferior cubital artery; Flap; Lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve; Repair