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J Reconstr Microsurg 2020; 36(09): 651-659
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1713600
Original Article

Prevalence of Accessory Branches and Other Anatomical Variations in the Radial Artery Encountered during Radial Forearm Flap Harvest: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Ryan D. Hoffman
1   School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
,
Denise M. Danos
2   Department of Behavioral and Community Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
,
Samuel J. Lin
3   Division of Plastic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Frank H. Lau
4   Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
,
Peter S. Kim
5   Atrius Healthcare, Boston, Massachusetts
› Author Affiliations Funding The authors would like to acknowledge funding provided by the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) Dean's Office.
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Abstract

Background Harvest of the radial forearm flap (RFF) for reconstructive surgery is proceeded by the Allen test to assess for adequate contralateral perfusion of the hand, yet the Allen test may fail to detect anatomical variations in the radial artery such as aberrant branching. Therefore, the goal of this study was to systematically review the literature regarding anatomical abnormalities of the radial artery that can affect flap harvest and to perform a meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of such abnormalities.

Methods A systematic review of the literature was conducted using five online databases to identify all instances of radial artery anatomical variations. Abstracts were reviewed and categorized into either (1) large cohort studies of anatomical variations identified by angiogram or (2) case reports specifically mentioning anomalous or accessory branches of the radial artery. Data from the large cohort studies were included in a random effect meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of such variations.

Results Eighteen angiogram cohort studies containing a total of 18,115 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Accessory branches were the least common anatomical variant reported, with an estimated average prevalence of 0.5%. Prevalence estimates for more common anatomical variants, including radial artery loops (0.9%), stenosis (1.3%), hypoplasia (1.9%), tortuosity (4.3%), and abnormal origin (5.6%), were also calculated. Thirteen case reports detailing anomalous branches of the radial artery were identified, seven of which involved accessory branches encountered during RFF harvest with no incidence of flap loss.

Conclusion Radial artery accessory branches are exceedingly rare, but the prevalence of other anatomical variations that can affect harvest of the RFF warrants consideration. We recommend surgeons consider comprehensive screening prior to RFF harvest to avoid intraoperative discovery of anatomical variants and suggest a low threshold for repeat perfusion testing intraoperatively if radial artery accessory branches are encountered.

Keywords

anatomical variation - aberrant - branch - radial artery


Publication History

Received: 17 December 2019

Accepted: 17 May 2020

Article published online:
24 June 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers
333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

 

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