Multidetector-row Computed Tomography Analysis of the Radial Midpalmar Flap: A Retrospective Anatomical Study

Background:. Soft tissue defects on the palm side of the thumb can be effectively covered by using the radial midpalmar (RMP) flap, which is usually harvested as a pedicled flap. However, previous anatomical studies on this flap are limited. We analyzed multidetector-row computed tomography angiogra...

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Main Authors: Tien Linh Nguyen Doan, MD, PhD, Shimpei Ono, MD, PhD, Goh Akiyama, MD, PhD, Hoyu Cho, MD, Hiromitsu Hayashi, MD, PhD, Rei Ogawa, MD, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer 2025-01-01
Series:Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open
Online Access:http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006484
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author Tien Linh Nguyen Doan, MD, PhD
Shimpei Ono, MD, PhD
Goh Akiyama, MD, PhD
Hoyu Cho, MD
Hiromitsu Hayashi, MD, PhD
Rei Ogawa, MD, PhD
author_facet Tien Linh Nguyen Doan, MD, PhD
Shimpei Ono, MD, PhD
Goh Akiyama, MD, PhD
Hoyu Cho, MD
Hiromitsu Hayashi, MD, PhD
Rei Ogawa, MD, PhD
author_sort Tien Linh Nguyen Doan, MD, PhD
collection DOAJ
description Background:. Soft tissue defects on the palm side of the thumb can be effectively covered by using the radial midpalmar (RMP) flap, which is usually harvested as a pedicled flap. However, previous anatomical studies on this flap are limited. We analyzed multidetector-row computed tomography angiograms of the radial midpalm of hands to more precisely characterize the 3-dimensional anatomical structure of the perforators in living patients. Methods:. This retrospective cross-sectional study included all eligible patients from 2014 to 2019. All Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data were analyzed by the DICOM viewer. RMP area vascularization pattern and cutaneous perforator number, location, origin, internal diameters, and bifurcation-to-dermis lengths were recorded. Results:. In total, 41 perforators were found in 30 patients: 21 patients had 1 perforator, 7 had 2, and 2 had 3 perforators. All were located inside a 23.2-mm diameter circle with an origin on the second metacarpal bone axis approximately 10 mm distally from the Kaplan cardinal line. Their origins were the superficial palmar arch system (61%), palmar arteries of the thumb (24%), and radialis indicis artery (15%). The mean perforator diameter and length were 0.61 and 8.48 mm, respectively. Conclusions:. All patients had at least 1 reliable perforator in the radial midpalm. Our results suggest that plastic surgeons can easily and safely plan the RMP flap design, potentially without preoperative perforator mapping. Guidelines for this flap are proposed.
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spelling doaj-art-475329724ec949658b5e4878f1bc28412025-01-24T09:19:58ZengWolters KluwerPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open2169-75742025-01-01131e648410.1097/GOX.0000000000006484202501000-00055Multidetector-row Computed Tomography Analysis of the Radial Midpalmar Flap: A Retrospective Anatomical StudyTien Linh Nguyen Doan, MD, PhD0Shimpei Ono, MD, PhD1Goh Akiyama, MD, PhD2Hoyu Cho, MD3Hiromitsu Hayashi, MD, PhD4Rei Ogawa, MD, PhD5From the * Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Nippon Medical School Hospital, Tokyo, JapanFrom the * Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Nippon Medical School Hospital, Tokyo, JapanFrom the * Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Nippon Medical School Hospital, Tokyo, JapanFrom the * Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Nippon Medical School Hospital, Tokyo, Japan‡ Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.From the * Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Nippon Medical School Hospital, Tokyo, JapanBackground:. Soft tissue defects on the palm side of the thumb can be effectively covered by using the radial midpalmar (RMP) flap, which is usually harvested as a pedicled flap. However, previous anatomical studies on this flap are limited. We analyzed multidetector-row computed tomography angiograms of the radial midpalm of hands to more precisely characterize the 3-dimensional anatomical structure of the perforators in living patients. Methods:. This retrospective cross-sectional study included all eligible patients from 2014 to 2019. All Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data were analyzed by the DICOM viewer. RMP area vascularization pattern and cutaneous perforator number, location, origin, internal diameters, and bifurcation-to-dermis lengths were recorded. Results:. In total, 41 perforators were found in 30 patients: 21 patients had 1 perforator, 7 had 2, and 2 had 3 perforators. All were located inside a 23.2-mm diameter circle with an origin on the second metacarpal bone axis approximately 10 mm distally from the Kaplan cardinal line. Their origins were the superficial palmar arch system (61%), palmar arteries of the thumb (24%), and radialis indicis artery (15%). The mean perforator diameter and length were 0.61 and 8.48 mm, respectively. Conclusions:. All patients had at least 1 reliable perforator in the radial midpalm. Our results suggest that plastic surgeons can easily and safely plan the RMP flap design, potentially without preoperative perforator mapping. Guidelines for this flap are proposed.http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006484
spellingShingle Tien Linh Nguyen Doan, MD, PhD
Shimpei Ono, MD, PhD
Goh Akiyama, MD, PhD
Hoyu Cho, MD
Hiromitsu Hayashi, MD, PhD
Rei Ogawa, MD, PhD
Multidetector-row Computed Tomography Analysis of the Radial Midpalmar Flap: A Retrospective Anatomical Study
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open
title Multidetector-row Computed Tomography Analysis of the Radial Midpalmar Flap: A Retrospective Anatomical Study
title_full Multidetector-row Computed Tomography Analysis of the Radial Midpalmar Flap: A Retrospective Anatomical Study
title_fullStr Multidetector-row Computed Tomography Analysis of the Radial Midpalmar Flap: A Retrospective Anatomical Study
title_full_unstemmed Multidetector-row Computed Tomography Analysis of the Radial Midpalmar Flap: A Retrospective Anatomical Study
title_short Multidetector-row Computed Tomography Analysis of the Radial Midpalmar Flap: A Retrospective Anatomical Study
title_sort multidetector row computed tomography analysis of the radial midpalmar flap a retrospective anatomical study
url http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006484
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