Morphometric Study of Gracilis Muscle and its Role in Clinical Reconstruction

The gracilis muscle is commonly utilized by reconstructive surgeons in covering soft tissue defects, in repair of urogenital fistulas and restoration of anal function as a pedicled flap or free tissue transplantation since its first description in 1972.1 The muscle anatomy has been documented by some authors and statistical data on the length of muscle belly, its tendon with number and origin of various vascular pedicles have been described but all these provide uncertain data about the anatomical characteristics of muscle in a particular individual for which reparative surgery is being planned. Present study has been undertaken to re-explore the metrical and nonmetrical parameters of this muscle when applied to general population as well as individual person. Mean length of muscle in our study was found to be 43.2±2.08cms in males and 37.1±0.76cms in females. Mean length of 11.5±2.8cms in males and 10.9±0.30cms in females was observed for distal tendon. Mean distance of centre of main vascular pedicle (hilum) from origin of muscle has been found to be 9.4±0.72cms in males and 7.9±0.26cms in females. In present study new data to find out the inter-relationship between major parameters of the muscle have been derived when applied to an individual patient. It was found that though mean figures vary significantly in different individuals and sexes but the ratios between various components of muscle remain fairly constant. These parameters will help the reconstructive surgeon in assessing the length of muscle belly or tendon available for reparative procedures before undertaking surgery in a particular patient. This will also be helpful in pre-asserting the position of main vascular pedicle in an individual thereby minimizing the risk of iatrogenic damage while performing surgery.