OBJECTIVE: To study the anatomical basis for reconstruction of vertebral artery with neighboring non-trunk arteries. METHODS: Twenty preserved adult cadavers were used in this study to observe the morphology of superior thyroid artery, inferior thyroid artery, transverse cervical artery, thyrocervical trunk and extracerebral portion of vertebral artery, and reconstruction of vertebral artery with these arteries was simulated in two preserved cadavers. RESULTS: The calibers of superior or inferior thyroid artery, or transverse cervical artery were more than 2 mm in diameter, and the arteries had suitable free length for end-to-side anastomosis with vertebral artery. Thyrocervical artery had similar caliber to vertebral artery so that end-to-end anastomosis could be carried out between them, but only 38.5% of this artery had adequate artery trunk (more than 10 mm). It was proved from the simulated procedures that the reconstruction of vertebral artery with these neighboring non-trunk arteries was possible. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of vertebral artery with neighboring non-trunk arteries has anatomical basis and can be used clinically for treatment of the lesion affecting the first or second portion of vertebral artery.
Citation： QU Dong bin,JIN Da di,ZHU Zhi hong,et al.. ANATOMICAL STUDY OF RECONSTRUCTION OF VERTEBRAL ARTERY WITH NEIGHBORING NON-TRUNK ARTERIES. Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery, 2001, 15(3): 136-139. doi: Copy