Improved anatomical study in posterior tibial artery perforator flaps / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore a modified technique of perforator flap anatomical study,in an attempt to understand the vascular territory of the specific perforator vessel in flaps,and determined its application in posterior tibial artery perforator flaps.Methods From October,2013 to October,2014,6 corpse were used in this study.A full-thickness posterior tibial artery perforator flap was excised from the crus of a fresh adult corpse.The anatomical measurements were synchronized with the procedure.The isolated skin flaps were fixed in a frame made of silk screen and batten and subsequently photographed.In vitro skin flaps were divided into 3 groupsfull-thickness,without deep fascia,and without subcutaneous adipose layer.The skin flaps were perfused with barium sulfate silicone,and photographed using mammography after coagulation of the silicone.The imaging data were processed by digital software system.Results The mean number of posterior tibial artery perforators in the lower medial leg was 4.17 ± 0.94.The projection points of perforated sites were located in the area 2-3 cm lateral to the A-C line.The proximal border was (4.51 ± 1.84)cm distal to the plane of tibial medial condyle;the distal border reached the medial malleolus plane;and the anterior and posterior borders reaching the anterior and posterior midline of the crus respectively.And according to the comparison of the 3 group processed images,vascular territory change could be obtained.And this could provid clinicians with reliable anatomical information,guiding the acquisition and trimming of perforator flaps.Conclusion The modified strategy intuitively indicated the blood vascular areas of different artery perforator flaps of varying thickness and the vascular branches as well as their courses.The approach is profoundly significant in guiding the acquisition of skin flaps and for the trimming and reconstruction of flaps.The deep fascia of posterior tibial artery perforator flaps plays a negligible role in the blood supply of flaps.Furthermore,the subcutaneous adipose tissues in the distal portion of flaps can be thinned appropriately,with limited vascular consequences.