ABSTRACT
Objective:The morphological characteristics of the oblique branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) were observed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in order to provide imaging basis in the application of the ALTF pedicled with the oblique branch of LCFA.Methods:Between February, 2020 and December,2020, for the patients who were requested to repair the wound with ALTF, a DSA radiography was performed before operation. A total of 197 sides of selective DSA were analysed in 113 patients. The occurrence rate, origin and course of the oblique branch of LCFA were observed. Relationships between the oblique branch of LCFA and the upper cutaneous branch, descending branch and transverse branch were analysed. In addition, in order to verify the accuracy of conventional DSA data in describing the morphological characteristics of oblique branches, 10 sites of 10 patients were randomly selected to perform rotational DSA three-dimensional imaging.Results:Femoral artery, deep femoral artery, LCFA and the branches of LCFA were clearly identified on DSA images. The oblique branch appeared in 190 sites, with a occurence rate of 96%. Among them, 1 oblique branch originated from the femoral artery, 2 from the deep femoral artery, and other 187 from LCFA. The oblique branches were found in 10 sites from rotational DSA three-dimensional imaging, which was consistent with conventional DSA imaging.Conclusion:The occurrence rate and morphological characteristics of the oblique branch of LCFA can be directly analysed by DSA. The oblique branch is not a variant branch as reported in the literatures, as it always appears. It may serve the main blood supply artery of the anterolateral thigh flap.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the application of venous superdrainage technique based anterolateral thigh flap based on oblique branch for the soft tissue defect of proximal shank.Methods Between October,2012 and March,2017,11 cases of the soft tissue defect in proximal shank were treated.There were 8 males and 3 females with a mean age of 43 (range,26-59) years.Causes of injury:7 cases of traffic injury,3 cases of bruise,1 case of machine wound;The defect sizes ranged from 10 cm×5 cm to 13 cm×10 cm,with fracture or plate exposure.Accord ing to the size of the defect,the distally based anterolateral thigh flap was designed to repair the defect.The flap sizes ranged from 14 cm×6 cm to 16 cm×8 cm.The oblique branch and their accompanying vein with great saphenous vein was anastomosed to construct the venous superdrainage,and the donor site suture directly.Three cases followed-up by WeChat,and 8 cases by return visit.Results Distally based anterolateral thigh flaps were derived from oblique branches,and no arteriovenous crisis occurred postoperatively.Eleven flaps healed well after operation.There were no distal end blood supply disorder.Followed-up for 6-12 months,the flaps survived well.The texture was closed to the surrounding skin,and no ulcer exposed.There were no serious complications in donor site.And the thighs were linear scars.Conclusion The distally based anterolateral thigh flap based on oblique branch have a long vascular pedicle.The venous superdrainage technique can effectively avoid venous crisis,and improve the survival quality of the flap and the survival rate.