Applied anatomy for the transposition of the proximal antebrachium skinned flap pedicled with dorsal branch of ulnar recurrent vessels

Objective To provide a new kind of donor of skinned flap for repairing the lack of elbow parenchyma. Methods The origins, courses, branches, distributions and anastomosis of ulnar recurrent artery, and inferior ulnar collateral artery were observed on 30 adult cadaveric upper limb specimens. Results The ulnar recurrent artery originated from the proximal ulnar artery, (5.3 ± 1.0) cm beneath the medial epicondyle of humerus, with a diameter of (1. 9 ± 0. 3) mm. It divided into a palmar branch and a dorsal branch. The dorsal branch situated at the deep of ulnar nerve and ascending along the ulnar groove, and divided into 1-2 muscular-sin branch of ulnar artery, (8.4±1.4) cm beneath the medial epicondyle of humerus, with a diameter of (1.3±0.3) mm. Both of the muscular-skin branches anastomosed under the skin. Conclusion The reversed transposition of skinned flap pedicled with dorsal branch of ulnar recurrent vessels could be designed for repairing the lack of elbow parenchyma.