The anatomy and clinical applications of anterolateral island flaps of the lower leg with peroneal artery pedicles / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the method of repairing skin defects in the foot, the ankle and the lower one-third of the lower leg with anterolateral island flaps of the lower leg formed by isolating peroneal artery from the anterior interosseous membrane of the lower leg. Methods 46 adult cadavers' lower legs were anatomized, to observe the blood supply of the anterolateral skin, the lateral anterior malleolar artery anastomoses with anterior perforating branches of the peroneal artery, and the relationship between peroneal vessels and interosseous membrane of the lower legs. Clinically, 8 cases(7 males, 1 female, age ranged from 7 to 48 years) of skin defects of the feet, the ankles and the lower one-third of the lower legs were repaired with anterolateral island flaps of the lower leg by isolating the peroneal vessels from the anterior interosseous membrane of the lower legs from June 1996 to August 2004. The flaps were cut into sizes between 7 cm ? 4 cm and 23 cm ? 12 cm. Results Averaged 3.2 anterior branches stem from the lower one-third of the peroneal artery, extend through the foremina in the interosseous membrane, pass the anterior intermuscular septum of the lower leg, arrive and provide nutrition to the anterolateral skin of the lower leg. The lateral anterior malleolar artery anastomosed with the lowest perforating branch of the peroneal artery to form the lateral malleolar artery arch. The peroneal vessels easily isolated after incision of the interosseous membrane of the lower leg. Eight cases were performed on transposition of the anterolateral island flaps with the artery pedicles of the lower leg. All the patients were followed up from 1 to 8 years, with a mean of 3 years. Only 1 case was necrosis at the distal one-third of the flap. The others totally survived without diabrosis and swelling. The ankle and phalanges had normal movement. The color and texture of the flaps were excellent. The sensation of flaps recovered in 4 cases by suture superficial peroneal nerve. All cases suffered hypoesthesia at the 3rd and 4th toe web. Conclusion Isolating peroneal artery and vein from the anterior interosseous membrane of the lower leg proved easy to perform. Peroneal artery are not main blood vessels and the excision of them affects blood supply to the foot insignificantly. The skin flaps thus formed are ideal for repairing skin defects of the foot, the ankle and the lower one-third of the lower leg.