Study of contributing arteries to superficial palmar arch formation

The superficial palmar arch (SPA) is formed predominantly by the ulnar artery with a contribution from the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery.: To study contributing arteries in superficial palmar arch formation and variations in its formation.: Study comprised of 30 upper limbs from 15 cadavers. Palmar arches in them were dissected following classical incisions and dissection procedures of Cunninghams’ manual.: SPA was formed by superficial branch of ulnar artery only in 13.33% specimens, by superficial branch of both ulnar and radial artery in 70% specimens, by superficial branch of ulnar and persistent median artery in 13.33% specimens and was formed by superficial branches of ulnar and radial arteries with persistent median artery in 3.33% specimens. SPA was complete in 80% and was incomplete in 20% specimens.: The arch formation is highly variable. Knowledge of contribution to the SPA will be helpful to the reconstructive hand surgical procedures such as arterial repairs, vascular graft applications and re-implantations.

Morphological variations of median nerve observed in patients during carpal tunnel release surgery: A cross-sectional study conducted in a Tertiary Care Hospital of District Nowshera, Pakistan.

Objective: To study the morphological variations of median nerve observed in sick persons during carpal tunnel release operation. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Qazi Hussain Ahmad Medical Complex, Nowshera. Period: One year (November, 2019 till October, 2020). Material & Methods: This Cross-sectional study was conducted after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Ethical Review Board (IERB), NMC in which people were tracked with mild to severe carpal tunnel symptoms for a year. Less than 24 hours after their arrival, the victims were operated on under local anesthesia in Qazi Hussain Ahmad Medical Complex, Nowshera, Pakistan. Each surgical method viewed the nerve. Branches around the carpal tunnel were seen and documented on a spreadsheet. 150 were planned. The statistics were in percentages. Results: In 150 instances, 102 (68%) were female and 48 (32%) were male. 138 (92%) individuals showed normal median nerve morphology, whereas 12 (8%) had aberrant branching. The transverse carpel ligament had significant splitting. There was a persisting median in three of the 12 instances. Conclusion: The top division of the median nerve showed altered branching morphology. As with the persistent median artery, recurring median artery raises the chance of median nerve dysfunction.

Vessel diameter and close surveillance helps predict early patency in native arteriovenous fistulas

Introduction: Arteriovenous fistulas are the preferred method of vascular access for haemodialysis. Data suggests patency rates can be low and may be related to vessel diameters prior to creation. We use specific size criteria for fistula selection. We aimed to establish patency rates in relation to vessel size and whether other factors affect fistula patency. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing radiocephalic (RCF) or brachiocephalic (BCF) creation between 2016 and 2018 were analysed. Preoperative arterial and venous diameters were collected. Six-week and six-month primary and secondary patency rates were analysed to establish any impact of vessel size on patency and re-intervention rates between groups. A univariate analysis was performed. Results: Ninety four RCFs and 101 BCFs were created. Median artery and vein size for RCF were 2.7 and 3.0 mm respectively. For BCF, they were 4.6 and 4.3 mm respectively. At 6-weeks, overall satisfactory patency for RCF and BCF combined was 91.8%. 89.7% demonstrated primary patency; 2.1% secondary patency. At 6-months, overall patency was 78.7%; 58.5% demonstrated primary patency, 20.2% secondary patency. A univariate analysis, for both groups, revealed vein size was a significant predictor of overall satisfactory patency at 6-weeks, with larger veins more likely to remain patent ( p = 0.025 RCF, p = 0.007 BCF). However, artery size was not predictive ( p = 0.1 RCF, p = 0.5 BCF). At 6-months, neither artery nor vein diameter were predictive in either group. When comparing size of vessel based on fistula type, vessels used to create RCFs were smaller than those for BCFs ( p < 0.001). RCFs were more likely to receive endovascular intervention or occlude when compared to BCFs ( p = 0.014). Discussion: Excellent patency and maturation rates can be achieved using fairly strict vessel size criteria. Vein size might be the more important predictor of early success. RCFs can be challenging due to smaller vessels, but maturation rates can be optimised by close surveillance and aggressive re-intervention.

Thrombosis of persistent median artery as a cause of carpal tunnel syndrome : case report

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common peripheral neuropathy, caused by compression of the median nerve. Symptoms usually are present for months and aggravate over time. Acute onset of complaints and symptoms, like coldness of the hand, should raise awareness of a possible vascular cause of CTS.Persistent median artery (PMA) is a very rare anatomical variant of the blood supply of the upper limb. The presence of a thrombosed PMA is an extremely rare cause of CTS. In this article a case is presented in which the patient has carpal tunnel syndrome of his left hand, caused by a thrombosed persistent median artery. Conservative treatment, consisting of rest, ice applica- tion and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, failed. Surgical excision of the thrombosis and open exploration of the carpal tunnel was performed, with complete relief of symptoms. In literature different treatment options, like conservative treatment with antiplatelet therapy or surgical excision of the throm- bosis and decompression of the nerve, are described with good results. However up until now, no consensus exists about the golden standard in treatment of a thrombosed persistent median artery.

Conservative treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome caused by persistent median artery: a case report

Knowledge of a persistent median artery, defined as an anatomical vascular variation, is of clinical importance because it can be an unusual etiology of carpal tunnel syndrome. This report describes the case of a 42-year-old female patient with acute pain and paresthesia involving the volar aspect of the first, second, and third fingers of the left hand. The clinical manifestations pointed to compressive neuropathy of the median nerve, and diagnostic imaging showed anatomical vascular variation. Details were collected through interviews with the patient, and photographic records of imaging exams were thoroughly analyzed. This case study shows the importance of the identification and knowledge about anatomical variations considering that under specific pathological conditions, they can be a cause of clinical syndromes. Such knowledge is also important in the field of surgery for the prevention of iatrogenic injuries.

The importance of a lifeboat-median artery forearm flap in Goldenhar Syndrome

We present a case of a 32-year-old male with left-sided Goldenhar Syndrome and delta phalanx of the thumb, who was offered free tissue transfer from the forearm to address an intra-oral soft tissue deficiency. Despite the presence of appropriately developed right radial artery, used in previous facial reconstruction, the left radial artery occurred to be hypoplastic. He ultimately underwent free flap transfer based on the anomalous persistent left median artery. We suggest that in face of an unusual hand anatomy, flexible flap creation techniques that allow a lifeboat strategy of adjusting flap design should be considered preoperatively. Level of evidence: Level V, therapeutic study.