A biometric study on the relationships between the deep palmar arch and the superficial palmar arch, the distal wrist and palmar creases.

The topographical localisation of the palmar arches is important in hand surgery. The aim of this study was to contribute with biometric data on their positions and to correlate this with the size od the palm. We studied 60 hands of 30 adult fixed cadavers, of Brazilian origin, from both sexes and between the ages of 21 and 70 years. The arteries of 54 hands were injected with latex Neoprene. Before dissection the distance between distal wrist crease (DWC) and the proximal palmar digital crease of the middle finger (PDMC) was measured. Also, we recorded the distance between the DWC and the proximal and distal palmar creases (PPC, DPC). After dissecting the superficial palmar region, the distance between the superficial palmar arch (SPA) and the DWC was recorder. We then dissected the deep palmar arch (DPA). The average distance between the DPA and DWC was always measured in the midline of the palm. The average distance DWC-DPA was 33.7 +/- 2.6 mm in the female and 36 +/- 4.0 mm in the male. The difference was statistically significant. The average distance between DPA and the PPC was 24.2 +/- 3.0 mm in the female and 27.1 +/- 4.1 mm in the male; this difference was significant. In 83% of cases the DPA was proximal to the SPA and in 14.9% was distal to it. The linear regression test for the relation between DWC-PDMC and DWC-DPA was significant in the male and this fact allowed us to obtain the linear equation to predict the distance DWC-DPA. Other parameters were also considered. The results may be useful as a reference to radiologists as well as to surgeons.