Applied Anatomy of Periosteal Flap of Dorsal Carpal Branch of Ulnaris Artery for Repairing Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Lesions

Objective To provide a new therapeutic method for the treatment of triangular fibrocartilage complex(TFCC). Methods Observed the course, branches and distribution of the dorsal carpal branch of ulnar artery by anatomising the adult cadaver specimens perfused with red latex at 40 side artery. Results The dorsal carpal branch of ulnar artery arise from the ulnar artery at 3.9±1.2 cm distally of pisiform bone. Pass infront of the ulnar nerve(minority was through the rear), emerge from the gap between the ulnar flexor muscle of wrist and ulnar extensor muscle of wrist. It was divided into the ascending branch and the descending branch, the ascending branch go up along with the margin of forearm go through the deep fascia, anastomosed with the other forearm ulnaris cutaneous branches. The descending branch, which was bulky, enter the back of hand through the front of ulna head and the pisiform bone, and was anastomosed with the little finger artery ulnaris or deep palmar arch hypothenar. On the origin, the ascending branch or descending branch respectively send off 1~3 pieces periosteum branch with diameter 0.2~0.7 mm. Conclusion It is an practical method to achieve the transposition of inferior ulnaris periosteal flap with the dorsal carpal branch of ulnaris artery pedicle for repairing TFCC.