Posterior interosseous artery pedicle flap: an anatomical study of the relationship between the posterior interosseous nerve and artery

• Published in: The Journal of hand surgery, European volume Vol. 43; no. 10; p. 1050
• Main Authors: Keogh, Angus, Graham, David James, Tan, Bryan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.12.2018
• Subjects: Cadaver; Humans; Median Nerve - anatomy & histology; Surgical Flaps - blood supply; Ulnar Artery - anatomy & histology; anatomy; surgical flaps; soft tissue surgery; Posterior interosseous artery; posterior interosseous nerve
• ISSN: 2043-6289
• DOI: 10.1177/1753193418797525

The anatomical relationships of the posterior interosseous artery and nerve are not well described. To characterize these relationships, ten cadaveric forearms were dissected and the relationships between the posterior interosseous nerve, its branches, and the posterior interosseous artery documented. The dissection of the posterior interosseous artery flap can be conceptualized in three zones with decreasing risk to the nerve as the dissection proceeds from proximal to distal. Provided fine motor branches of the posterior interosseous nerve are protected during the dissection of the nerve and artery, this flap can be harvested with safety.