ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the normal structures of arteria circumflexa femoris lateralis (ACFL) and to establish digitized visible models of anterolateral thigh(ALT) flap,which can be used in clinical training and operation design.Methods The cross-sectional images from the VCH Male 3 dataset were reviewed to study ACFL structures on a section-by-section basis.Next,one adult fresh cadaver specimen was perfused with lead ox- ide-gelatine mixture to be subject to radiographic CT scanning on its lower limbs.Likewise,the cross-sectional images from the CT images were reviewed to study ACFL structures on a section-by-section basis.Three-dimensional computerized reconstructions of ACFL structures and their adjacent struetures were conducted from the two sets of data using Amira 3.1 (TGS) software respectively.Results The three-dimensional reconstructed visible models established by the above two methods perfectly displayed the anatomic relationships of ACFL structures and their adjacent structures.Conclusions Since the digitized images of ACFL structures can offer section by section in- sights into the ACFL anatomy,their 3D reconstructive models ean be applied in clinical training,pre-operative designing and virtual operation procedures.