The extrinsic blood supply of the ulnar nerve at the elbow: an anatomic study. J Hand Surg Am 1993 May;18(3):433-8
Date
05/01/1993Pubmed ID
8515010DOI
10.1016/0363-5023(93)90086-iScopus ID
2-s2.0-0027157614 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 32 CitationsAbstract
The extrinsic vasculature of the ulnar nerve as it relates to the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome has not previously been described in detail. For a study of the anatomy, 18 fresh-frozen cadaver upper limbs were dissected after intra-arterial injection of latex. Two major pedicles were present in all 18 specimens--the superior ulnar collateral artery proximally and the posterior ulnar recurrent artery distally. A single minor pedicle, the inferior ulnar collateral artery, was present in 5 of 18 specimens. Total vessel length as well as distance to the medial epicondyle for the extrinsic arteries was measured. On the basis of these anatomic dissections, it is suggested that the extrinsic vascular supply can be preserved during anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve, even after extensive mobilization of the nerve.
Author List
Prevel CD, Matloub HS, Ye Z, Sanger JR, Yousif NJAuthors
Hani S. Matloub MD Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinJames R. Sanger MD Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
ArteriesElbow Joint
Humans
Ulnar Nerve