Study on the variation of branching pattern of arch of aorta in Nepalese.

The variations of vessels arising from the aortic arch are numerous. The purpose of this study is the description of the variations on the branching pattern of arch of aorta, in order to offer useful data to anatomists, radiologists, vascular surgeons, neck and thorax surgeons in Nepalese subjects, and relating it with embryological basis. In this investigation, branching patterns of arch of aorta were studied in 85 cases of Nepali origin. Variations in the anatomical arrangements of the branches of arch of aorta in the Nepali population were as par with other populations of the world. Variations on the branching pattern of the arch of aorta were found in 17 cadavers (20.0%) of elderly Nepalese. The accurate information on this is vital for vascular surgery in the thorax, head and neck regions. Although, the variations are usually asymptomatic, they may cause dyspnea, dysphagia, intermittent claudication, misinterpretation ofradiological examinations and complications during neck and thorax surgery. These observations are precious while invading the arch of aorta and its branches by instruments, as all areas are susceptible to surgical attack.