Secondary lymphedema is a chronic progressive disorder of lymphatic system caused by tumour surgery and/or radiotherapy. With the development of microsurgical techniques, the surgical procedures currently applied in the treatment of lymphedema mainly focuses on lymphatic-lymphatic anastomosis (LLA), lymphatic venous anastomosis (LVA), vascularised lymph node transfer (VLNT) and vascularized lymph vessel transfer (VLVT). The goal of microsurgical treatment of lymphedema is to reconstruct the physiological lymphatic circulation. Both of LLA and LVA require higher microsurgical skills. VLNT has a risk of iatrogenic lymphedema in the donor site and has impacts on the appearance of the recipient site, while the VLVT can better avoid the shortcomings of the treatment options mentioned above with a definite clinical effect. The donor site can be directly anastomosed. This article provides detailed reviews and updated concepts in treatment of lymphedema with VLVT in terms of development, therapeutic mechanism, clinical efficacy, surgical techniques and skills of the vascularised lymphatic flap.

Objective:To provide microsurgical anatomy data in the course, branch, distribution, arterial network profile of the submental artery and the range of the flap excision in submental flap transplantation.Methods:From March, 2015 to March, 2020, a total of 36 head and neck cast specimens were studied. Acrylic-butadience-styrene plastic (ABS) filler were perfused into the external carotid artery to make cast specimens. The course, branching, distribution and the arterial framework of the submental artery under a surgical microscope were investigated.Results:The submental artery originated from the facial artery before reaching the lower edge of the mandible (1.50±0.50) cm, with a diameter of (1.50±0.85) (0.6-2.3) mm. The main trunk of submental artery was (5.5±0.5) cm in length, which ran forward along the lower edge of the mandible and branched out (9.0±3.0) (7-13) branches with diameters between 0.1-0.5 mm, and mainly distributed to skin and superficial fascia of the submental area. The main trunk of submental artery divided into ascending, horizontal and descending branches about 3.0 cm of the midline of the mandible. The ascending branch went upwards over the lower edge of the mandible and joined up with the lower labial arch or participated in the formation of the lower labial arch; the horizontal branch divided into several branches and joined up with the branches from the opposite side; the descending branch branched posteriorly and inferiorly, joined up with branches of lingual artery and superior thyroid artery. The branches of the submental artery and the branches of the peripheral arteries were joined up in the submental area to form the submental artery network. The diameter of the vessels in the network ranged 0.1-0.2 mm. The arterial network was built in the form of 1 to 3 layers, and the area of main network was about 7.0 cm×5.0 cm.Conclusion:The submental artery has a long trunk, many branches and abundant anastomoses between the branches, forming a dense submental artery network, which provides sufficient pedicle length, rich blood supply and cutting area for submental flap. The flap can be transplanted free or transposed. The best location of submental flap is near the midline of arterial network, and the appropriate area is 7.0 cm×5.0 cm.

To provide anatomy information for harvesting the posterior tibial artery cutaneous branches-chain flaps. Methods The research was performed from January, 2017 to January, 2018. Anatomic ob-servation on 10 legs from fresh human cadaver were performed. The location of cutaneous branches of the posterior tibial artery was observed and its diameter and length was measured. Five legs were prepared to investigate the cuta-neous branches of posterior tibial artery.The anastomosis of cutaneous branches of posterior tibial artery was observed by PVA-bismuth oxide perfusion for molybdenum target X-ray arteriography in 5 perfused legs. The cutaneous branches with diameter over 0.2 mm in 10 legs of latex perfusion microdissection were included in the statistical analysis.The data were clustered and analyzed to find the location of distant and near cutaneous branches, which was called the gathering point of cutaneous branch vascular plexus. Secondly, the measured data of distal and near seg-ments containing cutaneous branches were compared by t-test.Then the distribution of cutaneous branches of posteri-or tibial artery on the tibiofibular side was compared by Chi-square test.It was considered to be significant if P value was under 0.05. Results ①There were 4.3 cutaneous branches raised from the posterior tibial artery.There was no significant difference on the tibial and ribula side distribution of the cutaneous branches from the posterior tibial artery (P＞0.05).②The distal cutaneous branch clusters was located at about 1/5 of the distal leg and there were 3.6 cutaneous branches raised from the posterior tibial artery. While the proximal clusters was located at 1/3 of the proximal leg and there were 0.7 cutaneous branches raised from the posterior tibial artery.There were no significant differences in the di-ameters (P=0.28) and pedicle length (P=0.14) between distal and proximal cutaneous branches. ③There were the large cutaneous perforators (≥1.0) mm from the posterior tibial artery at (6.37±1.22) cm proximal to the medial malleolus.The diameter and pedicle length of the distal perforators were (1.11±0.09) mm and (6.53±1.51) mm respectively.④The vas-cular chains parallel to the posterior tibial artery were formed via anastomosis of the adjacent cutaneous perforators. Conclusion The cutaneous expenditure of posterior tibial artery is constant, with a certain pedicle length and diameter. There are 2 relatively dense vascular plexus of cutaneous branches. The proximal and distal vascular flaps can be de-signed with these 2 vascular dense points as rotation points.

To provide the anatomical information for auricle replantation. Methods From March, 2016 to March, 2019, a total of 25 fresh adult cadaveric head were used, 20 of these specimens were perfused with plastic and eroded to be vascular cast mold, 5 specimens perfused with red latex for anatomy, then observed the origin, course, diameter and arteries anastomose between branches of the posterior auricular artery (PAA) and superfi-cial temporal artery (STA). Results The main blood supply to the auricle were auricle branches of PAA and STA. The auricle branches of PAA and STA both divided into superior, intermedius and inferior branches, and distributed in the auricle posterior surface and anterior surface, respectively.The auricle branches of PAA running across ear car-tilage, distributed in the anterior surface, and anastomosed with auricle branches of STA. The diameters of these branches at the initiating portion were 0.2-0.8 mm. Eighty percent of blood supply to earlobe was from the inferior branches of PAA, and 20% from the STA. Conclusion The auricle branches of PAA played an important role to the auricle replantation.The auricle branches of PAA should be the firstly selected vessle in operation, and the auricle branches of STA be the second choice.

Objective: To observe the location and the distribution of distal 1/3 segment of the second dorsal metacarpal artery, the finger web artery and the dorsal digital artery, and to provide anatomical data for repairing the soft tissue defect on the hand with bilobed or multi-lobed micro-flap with second metacarpal dorsal artery-dorsal digital artery. Methods: From June, 2018 to March, 2019, 34 fresh adult upper limb specimens were selected. The radial and ulnar arteries were perfused with red latex in 24 specimens. The radial and ulnar arteries were infused with cast materials to make cast specimens in 10 specimens. The location and distribution of the distal 1/3 segment of the second dorsal metacarpal artery, the finger web and the dorsal digital artery were observed. Results: The distal 1/3 segment of second dorsal metacarpal artery extended (4±1) cutaneous branches, and continued to become the finger web artery at the plane of the articular surface. The length of the finger web artery was (2.5±0.6) cm, and there were 4 types anastomic methods of communication with arteries. The second dorsal metacarpal artery extended 2 finger dorsal artery to the proximal dorsal skin of the middle finger and index finger. The length of dorsal digital artery was 2.6±0.4 cm and the diameter was 0.2±0.1 mm. Four to 6 micro-cutaneous branches were extended and consistent with the nearby skin cutaneous branches. Conclusion The distal segment of the second dorsal metacarpal artery and the dorsal digital artery is anatomically constant. The distal segment of the second dorsal metacarpal artery and dorsal digital artery are the pedicle for the design of the bilobed flap of middle finger and index finger to repair small soft tissue defect on the thumb and purlicue.

BACKGROUNDWith the development of natural orifice trans-luminal endoscopic surgery, studies on transoral video-assisted thyroidectomy in preclinical experiments (e.g., human anatomy and animal trials) were progressing gradually. From 2009 to 2011, embalmed human cadavers were dissected to define the anatomical location, surgical planes, and related neural and vascular structures to create a safe transoral access to the front cervical spaces. Recently, experimental transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy was performed to verify the feasibility of this approach on 15 fresh specimens.

METHODSFifteen specimens were placed in the supine position with slight neck extension. Endoscopic incision was made on the midline between the Wharton's duct papillae and two other incisions were made on mandibular first premolar buccal mucosa. Sublingual combined bilateral vestibular tunnels were created from oral cavity to the cervical region. The neck subplatysmal working space was insufflated with CO2 at 6-8 mmHg. The bilateral thyroid lobes and central lymph nodes were dissected under craniocaudal view.

RESULTSThree incisions were made in the oral cavity without any incisions on the body surfaces. The distance from the oral cavity to front neck region was the shortest. Bilateral thyroid lobes and central neck region were fully resected via transoral approach. This approach provided a craniocaudal view, in which retrosternal thyroid gland and lymph nodes were easily accessible. The recurrent laryngeal nerve could be identified safely on the inferior cornu of the thyroid cartilage. The only structure at risk was the mental nerve. Camera motion was somewhat limited by the maxillary dentition. The volume of harvested thyroid nodule through sublingual tunnel in the fifteen human cadavers was (40 ± 15) cm(3).

CONCLUSIONThe transoral procedure is progressive and innovative which not only gives the best cosmetic result and minimal access trauma but also provides a craniocaudal view.

Cadaver ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neck Dissection ; methods ; Thyroidectomy ; Video-Assisted Surgery ; methods

Objective To study the anatomic relationship between the thoracic transverse process and adjacent bony structures and its clinical significance for thoracic screw fixation.Methods The present anatomic measurement used 45 dry cadaveric specimens of the normal adult thoracic vertebrae.We measured the distances from the horizontal midline of the transverse process to the superior,middle and inferior margius of the pedicle,the height of the anterolateral transverse process sheltered by ribs,and the position at the horizontal midline of the transverse process corresponding to the vertebral body.Results The horizontal midlines margius of the transverse processes of T1 to T10 are localized in the plane ranging from the superior to the inferior margins of the pedicle.The midlines of the transverse process are closer at T6 and T7 while more apart at T9 and T10.From T1 to T8,the anterolateral transverse process is totally or mostly sheltered by ribs,but the shelter is much less at T9 and T10.The horizontal midline of the transverse process corresponds to the upper 1/3 or middle 1/3 of the vertebral body.Conclusion Thoracic screw fixation across the transverse process to the vertebral body is safe,reliable and feasible in clinic.

Objective To discuss the feasibility of estimation on intracranial pressure of patients withbrain injury by measuring optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) with uhrasonography.Methods From July 2008 to December 2011,90 patients with brain injury were selected.According to the admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS),they were divided into experimental group 1 (60 cases with light and medium brain injury,GCS 9-15 scores) and experimental group 2 (30 cases with severe brain injury,G CS 3-8 scores).The conventional physical examination 50 cases and volunteers 50 cases in neural surgical outpatient were selected as control group.ONSD of all groups were measured 3 mm behind the globe through orbital by ultrasonography with different time after admission.The intracranial pressure was measured at 0.5-1.0 h after ultrasonography by lumbar vertebra puncturing in different groups and analyzed statistically.Results After admission 1,3,7,14 d; ONSD in experimental group 1 respectively was (4.49 ± 0.31),(4.45 ±0.28),(4.41 ±0.32),(4A3 ±0.25) mm;ONSD in experimental group 2 respectively was (5.69 ±0.32),(6.30 ± 0.47),(5.71 ± 0.26),(4.77 ± 0.36) mm.After admission 1,3,7,14 d ;the intracranial pressure in experimental group 1 respectively was (78 ± 16),(83 ± 17),(90 ± 15),(82 ± 14) mmH2O (1 mmH2O =0.0098 kPa) ;the intracranial pressure in experimental group 2 respectively was (230 ± 22),(269 ± 21),(228 ± 13),(147 ± 22) mumH2O.ONSD and the intracranial pressure was (4.58 ± 0.41)mm and(88 ± 10) mmH2O in control group.ONSD and the intracranial in Experimental group 1 and control group had no difference (P ＞0.05); those of control group and experimental group 2,experimental group 1 and experimental group 2 had difference (P＜ 0.05).Conclusions ONSD and the intracranial pressure in light,medium brain injury patients have no change.In patients with severe brain injury after different time,the intracranial pressure change differently,ONSD enlargement with the intracranial pressure rising,examination of ONSD by ultrasonography can reflect the changes of the intracranial pressure,it is a new method to evaluate the intracranial pressure,has the certain application value.

Objective To investigate the maneuver of dividing Arantius duct to expose the posterior of left hepatic vein.Methods Based on the anatomy of Arantius duct on 33 cadavers,exposure of posterior of left hepatic vein was carried out in 43 patients by dividing the Arantius ligament.Results The posterior of left hepatic vein was dissected to expose the left hepatic vein in 43 patients.The operations and the recovery of the patients were smooth and uneventful.Conclsion Cutting the Arantius ligament allows safe exposure and extrahepatic division of left hepatic vein.

ObjectiveTo provide anatomy information for harvesting a pedicle or free posterior interosseous artery cutaneous branches-chain flaps. MethodsFourteen forearms from fresh human cadaver were used to study the anatomy characteristics of the posterior interosseous artery cutaneous branches-chain flaps with the following three methods:latex perfusion for microanatomy,denture materials and vinyl chloride mixed packing for cast,and PVA-bismuth oxide perfusion for molybdenum target X-ray arteriography.The cutaneous perforator with a diameter ≥ 0.2 mm were included for statistical analysis.Results① There were 6.2 cutaneous branches raised from posterior interosseous artery. Measuring from the radial edge of ulnar head to the lateral epicondyle of humerus as the standard distance, the distal cutaneous branch clusters located at 21.24％ relative to the standard distance,while the proximal clusters located at 47.86％.② There were two large cutaneous perforators from the posterior interosseous artery at(5.82 ± 1.22)cm proximal to the ulnar styloid and (10.34 ±0.98)cm distal to the epicondyle of humerus.The diameter and pedicle length of the distal perforators were(0.50± 0.04)mm and (16.79 ± 5.12)mm respectively,while the proximal perforator were (0.60 ± 0.08 )mm in diameter with a pedicle (21.20 ± 12.28)mm in length.③ The vascular chains parallel to the posterior interosseous artery were formed via anastomosis of the adjacent cutaneous perforators. ConclusionThere is clinical significance to use pedicle or free posterior interosseous artery cutaneous branches-chain flaps.