Bibliometric Analysis of Turkey’s Research Activity in the Anatomy and Morphology Category from the Web of Science Database

Objective: The measurement of international publication activities is one of the essential indicators used to evaluate the scientific development level of countries. Although many studies are using the bibliometric method in the literature, it is seen that there are very few bibliometric studies in the field of anatomy. This study aimed to analyze the articles bibliometrically which conducted by researchers at institutions from Turkey and indexed in Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-E) of the Web of Science database in the category of Anatomy and Morphology. Materials and Methods: According to 2019 data, journals in the Anatomy and Morphology category and indexed in the SCI-E were determined. Publications from Turkey that were published in these journals was determined. The full-texts of these articles were examined, and study types were defined. Also, VOSviewer software was used to create a collaboration and word co-occurrence network. Results: It was determined that there were 48,002 publications in 21 journals. It was found that 1,461 publications (3.04%) have at least one author from Turkey. The total number of citations was 11,728 for these publications. The average number of citations was 8.02±11.95. The radiological studies have increased statistically more than both experimental animal and cadaveric studies by years. In addition, it has been determined that the total number of articles, especially the radiological studies, has increased significantly over the years. Conclusion: The increase in the number of scientific studies in the field of anatomy is important in terms of the contribution of Turkey to literature in this area

Anatomy of the sacral hiatus and its clinical relevance in caudal epidural block

WOS: 000408728100001PubMed ID: 28247084Caudal epidural anesthesia (CEB) is widely used for the prevention of chronic lower back pain, the control of intraoperative analgesia such as genitourinary surgery and labor pain cases in sacral epidural space approach for the implementation of analgesia. CEB is an anesthetic solution used into the sacral canal via sacral hiatus (SH). For optimal access into the sacral epidural space, detailed anatomical landmarks of SH are required. This study aims at exploring the anatomical structures and differences of the SH by using the sacral bone as a guide point to failure criteria for reviewing the caudal epidural anesthesia and improving the criteria for success in practice. Detailed morphometric measurements of orientation points of the SH were taken in 87 sacral bones. The measurements were taken using digital calipers and calculated with photogrammetric methods using Image J program. Most commonly encountered shape of the SH was inverted U (33.33%), while 6.9% 3.45% often lack SH and bifida shape were found. The average length of the SH was 28.7 +/- 7.1 mm, the average distance of the intercornual distance was 13.48 +/- 2.69 mm, the average of the apex of SH and S2 sacral foramen was 34.68 +/- 7.09 mm. There was no statistically significant difference determined in bilateral measurements (p > 0.05). Apex and base of SH were most commonly observed against S4 and S5 vertebrae, respectively. The level of maximum curvature of sacrum was S3 in 62.07% and S4 in 28.78%. Findings of spina bifida level were found 16.13% often in L5-S1 segment. Sacral cornua were marked by their bilateral presence in 55.26% and impalpable in 21.05% cases. Minimum distance between the S2 and the apex of the SH was 7.25 mm which suggested that it would not be safe to push the needle beyond 7 mm into the sacral canal so as to avoid dural puncture. In 8.77% cases, the depth of hiatus was less than 3 mm. Single bony landmark may not help in locating the SH because of the anatomical variations. Important anatomical landmarks of the CEB are the sacral cornu, lateral sacral crests, the apex of the SH, the base of the SH, the top portion of the median sacral crest, anteroposterior distance of the sacral canal, intercornual distance, distance of the apex of the SH to the S2 foramina. Depth of hiatus less than 3 mm may be one of the causes for the failure of needle insertion. Surrounding bony irregularities, different shapes of hiatus and defects in dorsal wall of sacral canal should be taken into consideration before undertaking CEB so as to avoid its failure. This guide can be done by considering the points and securing a successful venture

Topography of the posterior arteries supplying the eye and relations to the optic nerve

WOS: 000240287700009PubMed ID: 16965495Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the arterial blood supply of the intraorbital part of the optic nerve. Methods: The location, course, length and diameter of the central retinal artery (CRA) and posterior ciliary arteries were studied in 19 adult white male preserved cadavers of between 35 and 75 years of age. Results: In right eyes, the first branch of the intraorbital part of the ophthalmic artery was the CRA in 26.3% (5/19) and the CRA and medial posterior ciliary artery in 21% (4/19) of eyes. In left eyes, the first branch of the intraorbital part of the ophthalmic artery was the CRA in 47.4% (9/19) and the CRA and medial posterior ciliary artery in 26.3% (5/19) of eyes. The CRA was observed as a single branch in 57.9% and a trunk in 42.1% of right eyes, and as a single branch in 52.6% and a trunk in 47.3% of left eyes. The outer diameter of the CRA measured 0.6 +/- 0.1 mm (min-max 0.5-0.9 mm) in right eyes and 0.6 +/- 0.2 mm (min-max 0.4-0.9 mm) in left eyes. The CRA entered the optic nerve 7.5 +/- 2.2 mm (min-max 5.3-12.5 mm) behind the ocular bulb in right eyes and 7.4 +/- 2.3 mm (min-max 5.3-14.1 mm) behind it in left eyes, at its lower and medial side. The posterior ciliary arteries ran forward, divided into multiple branches and pierced the sclera close to the optic nerve medially, laterally or superiorly. The longitudinal capillaries ran between the optic nerve and the CRA antero-posteriorly, while the transverse capillaries surrounded the optic nerve. Collaterals from both the longitudinal and transverse capillaries joined to form a complicated capillary plexus. Conclusion: This article confirms the well known variability of the arterial circulation of the intraorbital part of the optic nerve. Better understanding of the arterial anatomy of the intraorbital part of the optic nerve should enable appropriate modification of surgical techniques

The arterial anatomy of the eyelid: importance for reconstructive and aesthetic surgery

WOS: 000244807400004PubMed ID: 17293279Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the arterial distribution of the eyelids. Methods: The location, course, length and diameter of eyelid arteries were determined in 19 preserved and latex injected adult mate cadaver heads. Results: The diameter of the medial. palpebral. artery was found to be 1.50 +/- 0.28 mm on the right, and 0.70 +/- 0.12 mm on the left. The diameter of the lateral palpebral artery was measured as 0.62 +/- 0.10 mm on the right, and 0.59 +/- 10.12 mm on the left. The medial palpebral. arteries travelling in the medial part of the eyelids usually arose as separate branches for the upper and lower lids, as superior and inferior medial. palpebrals. In all cases, four arterial arcades, the marginal, peripheral, superficial orbital, and the deep orbital arcades, were revealed in the upper palpebra. These arterial arcades gave off small perforating branches. The perforating branches were identified on both sides of the tarsal plate and the orbicularis muscle. In four cases (11%) visible arterial variation was found near the inferotateral, end of the levator palpebrae. Although many differences in the arterial features of the eyelid have been noted, there may not be a significant difference in the basic vasculature of the palpebra among races. A better understanding of the palpebral vascularity should allow modification of reconstructive techniques and reduce postoperative complications after eyelid surgery. (c) 2006 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved