Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to describe the anatomy of the 1,2 intercompartmental supraretinacular artery (1,2 ICSRA), including the location of the perforators, number of perforators, and proximal and distal origins of the artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was done by dissecting both wrists of 11 fresh-frozen cadavers. In each specimen, skin incision and dissections were done in the forearm by the Henry approach. Radial artery was identified and cannulated and dye was injected. The dye consisted of the mixture of polyvinyl chloride and acetone in the ratio of 1:4, to which red-colored resin was added. The artery of interest 1,2 ICSRA was dissected and its anatomical characteristics such as distal origin, proximal origin, number of perforators, and largest perforator were measured. RESULTS: Of the 22 wrists dissected, only in 19 wrists we were able to recognize the perforators. Average number of perforators seen was 3.05 (range 1-5). Average distance of the largest perforator from the radial styloid was 11.79 mm (range 6-19 mm). The average distance of the distal origin of 1,2 ICSRA from the radial styloid was 6.71 mm distal to radial styloid. It ranged from 16 mm distal to styloid process to 6 mm proximal to the styloid process. The average distance of proximal origin of 1,2 ICSRA from the radial styloid was 40.52 mm proximal to the radial styloid (range 25-66 mm). The maximum density of perforators of 2.84 was noticed to be in the region of 6-18 mm from the distal articular margin. CONCLUSION: The distal origin of 1,2 ICSRA in our study was much more distal in comparison to the western population. The detailed anatomy of the 1,2 ICSRA presented in this study may guide in planning and dissection to maximize the vascularity of a pedicled bone graft based on this vessel for the management of scaphoid nonunions and other carpal pathologies.