Vascular foramina of talus: an anatomical study with reference to surgical dissection

Purpose To study the distribution and morphometry of vascular foramina of adult human talus in Indian population. Methods The study was carried out by using 56 adult human tali. The location, size, number and foraminal index of vascular foramina on head, neck and body of each bone were examined macroscopically. The difference in location of vascular foramina was further studied in relation to the pattern of calcaneal articular facets on talus. Results The vascular foramina were present on the superior neck, inferior neck and medial surface of talar body in all (100%) the bones. The Kruskal-Wallis test followed by series of Mann-Whitney test for post hoc analysis showed the number of vascular foramina was significantly greater on inferior surface of neck and medial surface of body. The number of vascular foramina ranged from 0 to 25. About 77.05% of foramina were >= 0.5 mm in size. The mean foraminal index of the closest foramina on inferior surface of neck and medial surface of body was 47.90% and 37.23%, respectively. The mean foraminal index of the farthest foramina on inferior surface of neck and medial surface of body was 75.08% and 71.35%, respectively. Conclusion The present study has provided additional information on the vascular foramina of tali. This knowledge is important to the orthopedic, vascular and podiatric surgeons while performing the surgeries of hind foot. We opine that the lateral approach would be more beneficial in the surgical procedures to talus.