An anatomical variation of Superficial Palmar Arch and its clinical significance: A Case Report

Abstract

The familiarity of variations in vascular architecture of hand is helpful to surgeons, in microsurgical procedures precipitated by crush injuries of hand and in amputations. The efficiency of collateral circulation in hand is essential in certain peripheral vascular diseases like Raynaud’s disease and in harvesting of the radial artery for coronary bypass graft. Variation in the formation of superficial palmar arch is common. We report a rare variation of equitable distribution of superficial palmar arch. Variations of the superficial palmar arterial arch are not uncommon. Allen’s test, doppler ultra sound, arterial angiography pulse oximetry should therefore be used to assess the efficiency of collateral circulation before surgical interventions.

Keywords: Vascular anatomy; superficial palmar arch