Anatomical observation of the inferior cubital artery perforator flap

Objective To provide anatomical basis for inferior cubital artery perforator flap which could be used in repairing soft-tissue defects around the elbow joint.Methods 30 specimens of adult upper limbs perfused with red latex were adopted.We had observed and measured the course,origin,distribution and branches of the inferior cubial artery precisely.Mimic operation was performed on one fresh specimen.Results The origin of the inferior cubital artery was determined to be(3.98±0.86)cm inferior to the midpoint of the line between medial epicondyle and lateral epicondyle of humerus in the forearm,and the diameter of the artery was found to be 0.8mm.The inferior cubital artery can be original either from radial artery(50%) or radial recurrent artery(40.00%) or branchial artery(10%).The surface projection of the inferior cubrial artery was 15 cm form the origin to the dorsal tubercle of radius.The branches of inferior cubital artery were widely anastomosed with the proximal radial artery perforators and radial recurrent artery perforators.Conclusions The flap pedicled with inferior cubital artery can be used for repairing soft-tissue defects around elbow joint.