The anterior ulnar recurrent artery arises from the ulnar artery just below the elbow joint and ascends anterior to the medial epicondyle to anastomose with the inferior ulnar collateral artery from the brachial system, contributing to the medial elbow arterial anastomosis. It supplies the anterior aspect of the elbow joint capsule, the common flexor origin, and the proximal pronator teres.
The anterior ulnar recurrent artery is encountered during the medial approach to the elbow for UCL reconstruction and medial epicondyle fracture fixation. The artery and the accompanying medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve in the cubital fossa must be identified and protected during medial elbow exposure. In ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (Tommy John surgery), the anterior ulnar recurrent artery and the medial elbow anastomosis are important for post-operative healing of the graft at its medial epicondyle insertion.
Medial elbow approaches for UCL reconstruction or medial epicondyle fracture fixation risk the anterior ulnar recurrent artery as it crosses the surgical field anterior to the medial epicondyle; its division without ligation produces a medial elbow haematoma that may compromise graft healing and obscure the nerve identification.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
