Comprehensive study of superficial palmar arch – A revisit

Hand vasculature can be affected by various traumatic and non-traumatic pathologies. A precise understanding of arterial anatomy is pertinent to preoperative diagnosis, operative procedure and post operative outcome as the vascular pattern of hand has a wide range of variations. Considering recent interest, the present study was undertaken i) to observe the morphology of superficial palmar arch and ii) to establish clinico-anatomical correlation of such variations. Sixty-four cadaveric hands were dissected. Superficial palmar arches were classified based on morphology of arches into three types and different subtypes. The variations of superficial palmar arch and their digital branches were noted. Complete arches were more prevalent in present study, observed among 76.56% hands and incomplete arches found in 21.88% hands. Another type was found as combined type, in 1.56% hands. Classical picture of superficial palmar arch was found in 29.69% in right side and 28.12% in left side. The rest of cases were variable. Digital supply varied according to different types and subtypes of superficial palmar arch. Hand ischemia after radial artery cannulation is a rare but potentially devastating complication. Awareness of variations regarding circulatory dynamics of hand is worth knowing in successful planning of surgery involving palm to achieve least complications.