Varigeti Mizoram1, Arindom Banerjee
BACKGROUND
There is lot of variability in the formation of the superficial palmar arch and its contributing arteries. The superficial palmar arch is usually formed by the superficial branch of ulnar artery and completed by one of the branch of radial artery, i.e. superficial palmar branch, arteria radialis indices or arteria princeps pollicis. It is rarely completed by the axis artery of the upper limb, i.e. median artery, which accompanies the median nerve type. In some cases, it is of incomplete nature where digital branches are arising separately from the superficial branch of ulnar artery on one side and from one of the branches of radial artery on the other side. A study of the variations of the palmar arch will not only help anatomists, but also vascular surgeons while doing reconstructive surgeries of the hand to avoid possible complications.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was done on 60 formalin fixed upper limbs from the Department of Anatomy during routine first professional MBBS dissection classes over a period of two years. Incision was given according to Cunningham Manual of Anatomy and superficial palmar arch was exposed and its formation from different branches was noted down. The variations were noted down to provide a database of the normal and variant anatomy.
RESULTS
In our present study, the normal complete arch was observed in 50 (83.3%) upper limbs and anomalous branching patterns were seen in 10 (16.7%) cases and were documented.
CONCLUSION
The present study though not of the only member of its kind will definitely add up to the progress in the microsurgical procedures for reconstructive hand operations, which needs the understanding of variant arterial arches. Thus, the comprehensive knowledge of arterial variations is vital for the surgical interventions and their successful outcome.
