[Anatomical basis of the flap based on the perforator of the deep palmar arch]

To investigate the morphological characters of the dorsal perforators originated from the deep palmar arch,so as to provide anatomic basis for V-Y advanced perforator flap.

The following contents were investigated in 30 aduh hand specimens perfused with red latex under surgical magnifier:① The origin, courses, branches and distribution of the dorsal perforators originated from the deep palmar arch. ②The characters of anastomosis among the dorsal perforators, the dorsal carpal and metacarpal arteries. Mimic operation was performed on another fresh specimens perfused with red latex.

There were three perforators originated from the deep palmar arch, which passed through the 2nd-4th dorsal interossei and then divided into an ascending branch and a descending branch at the dorsum of hand. Then the ascending branch anastomosed with the dorsal carpal artery, and the descending branch stretched to the 2nd-4th dorsal metacarpal arteries. The originating outer diameters of the 1st-3rd perforators were (1.1 ±0.2) mm,(0.9 ±0.3) mm and (0.7 ±0.1) mm respectively, and the length of the stems were (1.1 ±0.3) cm,(1.0 ±0.2)cm and (0.9 ±0.1) cm respectively.

The V-Y advanced perforator flap with the dorsal perforator of the deep palmar arch as its vascular pedicle could be used to repair the dorsal carpal or dorsal metacarpal soft tissue defects.