The anatomic relationship of dorsal arterial perforators of the distal forearm, wrist, and dorsum of the hand with conclusions for the clinic

Abstract

Extended soft tissue defects of the fingers are often challenging to treat, and therefore, we performed cadaver dissections to elucidate the anatomic relationship between dorsal arterial perforators of the distal upper extremities to support the development of new local flaps. Ten fixated cadaveric distal dorsal lower forearms were dissected to their arterial perforators down to 0.1mm diameter in size with identification of their relationship. Dorsal distal fascia piercing perforators of the lower forearm come in two distinct rows, radial and ulnar, of the fourth extensor compartment. These were interconnected by subfascial axial arteries in line. The most proximal perforator is usually located 8-10cm from the dorsal wrist, the most distal about 1-2cm, and on average, only three subcutaneous bridging vessels connect both axial systems. The number of less reliable subcutaneous arterial connecting vessels between the dorsal wrist and forearm is also fairly limited to only one or two. More constant bridging arteries interconnect at the level of the dorsal retinaculum between the axial systems of the hand and lower forearm. At the level of the dorsum of the hand perforators reaching the skin, they interconnect in an arcuate fashion. This unique distribution pattern could be used for freestyle perforator propellor flaps of the hand, as we demonstrated in a case directly derived from our recent research. In our opinion, a super-extended perforator flap should be possible with the inclusion of the bridging arteries in flap design at the level of the dorsal retinaculum.