Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2011, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (1): 31-33.

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Anatomical features of infrapatellar fat pad vascular network and its significance in TKA

LIN Yu-jin,GAO Xing-hua,HUANG Bao-hua, HOU Zhi-qi   

  1. Department of Jiont Surgery, Guangzhou First Municipal People's Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510180,China
  • Received:2010-10-12 Online:2011-01-25 Published:2011-01-24

Abstract:

Objective The purpose of this study is to provide an anatomic evidence of why and how to protect the blood supply of infrapatellar fat pad(IFP) in total knee arthroplasty(TKA). Mothods 20 embalmed adult cadaveric knee and 2 fresh ones underwent micro-anatomy to observe the composition,route and distribution of their IFP vascular network. Result The lateral part of IFP vascular network was formed by inferior lateral genicular artery and the descending branches of superior lateral genicular artery, and the medial part of it was formed by the ascending branches of inferior medial genicular artery and the branches of descending genicular artery. All the arteries and branches connected to each other to build a "concentrated area" which ranged in 5mm to both side of patella, 14mm below the lower end of patella and 10mm behind PL and nourish the lower end of patella, the back of patellar ligament(PL) and the synovial membrane of the whole IFP. Conclusion IFP should be protected in TKA, because of its nourishing function, especially the "concentrated area".

Key words: Infrapatellar fat pad, Blood supply, Total knee arthroplasty(TKA), Applied anatomy

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