Morphometric properties of the tensor fascia lata muscle in human foetuses

Abstract

In neonatal and early childhood surgeries such as meningomyelocele repairs, closing deep wounds and oncological treatment, tensor fasciae lata (TFL) flaps are used.However, there are not enough data about structural properties of TFL in fetuses, which can be considered as the closest to neonates in terms of sampling. This study's main objective is to gather data about morphological structures of TFL in human fetuses to be used in newborn surgery. Fifty formalin-fixed fetuses (24 Male -26 Female) with gestational age ranging from 18 -30 weeks (mean 22.94±3.23 weeks) were included in the study. TFL samples were obtained by bilateral dissection and then surface area, width and length parameters were recorded. Digital calipers were used for length and width measurements whereas surface area was calculated using digital image analysis software. No statistically significant differences were found in terms of numerical value of parameters between sides and sexes (p>0.05). Linear functions for TFL surface area, width, anterior and posterior margin lengths were calculated as y = -225.652 + 14.417 x Age (weeks), y = -5.571 + 0.595 x Age (weeks), y = -4.276 + 0.909 x Age (weeks) and y = -4.468 + 0.779 x Age (weeks), respectively. Linear functions for TFL surface area, width and lengths can be used in designing TFL flap dimensions in newborn surgery. In addition, using those described linear functions can also be beneficial in prediction of TFL flap dimensions both in autopsy studies.

Dimensional assessment of the tensor fascia lata muscle in fetal cadavers with meningomyelocele for flap surgery

“…a Values smaller thanthe range of Beger et al's [18] fetuses for the same month. b Values greater than the range of Beger et al's [18] fetuses for the same month.…”

“…The demographic data of age, foot length, and gender, numerical values of this study, and the calculated data [18] study considering fetuses at the same gestational week. † Average values of Beger et al's [18] study considering fetuses at the same gestational month. a Values smaller thanthe range of Beger et al's [18] fetuses for the same month.…”

“…Utilizing a digital image analysis software (ImageJ, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA, https://imagej.nih.gov/ij/, 1997-2018), the surface area of TFL was calculated by photograph analysis. [15,18,20] The averages of three repeated measurements were given in the tables. ANOVA with repeated measurements and post hoc RIR Tukey tests were used to assess intra-observer reproducibility of dataset.…”

“…Skin and fascia were removed to display TFL in the lateral decubitus position were dissected under a surgical microscope (Carl Zeiss f170, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany). Taking into account the former study by Beger et al, [18] the following parameters of TFL were measured: surface area, anterior and posterior border lengths, and width.…”

Anatomical Variability of Cutaneous Nerves of Anterior Femoral Region in Human Fetuses

“…Elasticity, relative flexibility and fitness are inherent for fascia lata, which makes it possible to model it. However, data on the features of innervation of the fascia lata during the fetal period of human ontogenesis remain insufficiently studied in the research literature, and they remain fragmentary and contradictory [4].…”