Demonstration Of Intramuscular Artery And Nerve Distribution In Several Human's Skeletal Muscles With The Method Of Intra-arterial Latex Perfusion And Sihler's Staining

Objective:This research aimed to demonstrate intramuscular artery and nerve distribution in several human's skeletal muscles with the method of intra-arterial latex perfusion and Sihler's staining,and provide some basic anatomical information for clinical muscle flaps designMethods:Three fresh Korean cadavers(2 males and 1 female,average age was 76.23 years)were carefully dissected,following injection of red latex into the subclavia arteries and external iliac arteries.When we dissected the biceps brachialis muscles,pectoralis major muscles,and latissimus dorsi muscles,the nutritional arteries and innervating nerves were protected intactly.The muscle specimens were put into the 10%formalin and fixed for about four weeks.During this step,the muscles should be examed frequently and the connective tissue should be carefully removed under an operating microscope(Zeiss OpmiPico,Oberkochen,Germany)to facilitate muscles tissue maceration.Then the muscles specimens were handled with modified Sihler's staining procedures of maceration,depigmentation,decalcification,staining,destaining,neutralization,clearing and transparency.At last,the muscle specimens were photographed with a digital camera,and were retouched with the photoshop.Results:Of all the 15 mucsles speciemns researched in the experiment,two were intruded by too much red latex within the muscles tissue because of the arterial rupture,one's artery was not displayed clearly on account of hypoperfusion,and three were ruined by excessive soaking;Nine muscle specimens were handled successfully,and the nerve fascicles were stained bluish violet or black blue and the arteries appeared red.Intramuscular neurovascular distribution and relationship were displayed clearly.Conclusion:1.The research method that intra-arteral latex perfusion associated with Sihler's stain can display the intramuscular artery and nerve distribution and their relationship in the skeletal muscles directly,visually,clearly and authentically without interruption,but there may be high failure rate for big-volume specimens.2.The nutritional arteries of the biceps brachialis distribute regionally from proximal to distal,and the short head of the biceps has a potential of application as muscle flap.3.Pectoralis major muscles could be designed as various muscle flaps on account of constant intramuscular neurovascular distribution except for the inconstant upper one-third portion of the sternocostal part.4.Latissimus dorsi muscles are qualified as the various muscular flaps because of enough volume and consantly concomitant nutritional arteries and dorminant nerves.