Applied anatomy of reconstruction thumb of free bifoltaed bone flap pedicled with the dorsal carpal branch of ulnar artery

Objective To provide anatomical basis for reconstruction thumb of free bifoltaed bone flap pedicled with the dorsal carpal branch of ulnar artery. Methods After red latex was infused into the arteries of 35 sides of adult cadaveric upper limbs, the origin, course, branches, diameters, skin branches and periosteal branches of dorsal carpal branch of ulnar artery were observed, to initate operation experiment of reconstruction thumb on 1 sides. Results The dorsal carpal branch begins with ulnar artery (4.0±1.0)cm above the pisiform with diameter of (1.3±0.5)mm, its pedicle ranges(1.2±0.5)cm and branches off into ascending and descending branches. There were outer diameter range(0.8±0.3)mm and (1.1±0.2)mm. Skin branches of dorsal carpal branch of ulnar artery nourinshed the forearm ulnar side, carpal and dorso-ulnar aspect of mid-hand, periosteal branches of dorsal carpal branch of ulnar artery nourished the anterior internus side of the ulnar and the fifth metacarpal bone. Conclusion The free bifoltaed bone flap pedicled with the dorsal carpal branch of ulnar artery is available to reconstruction the thumb.