AN ANATOMICAL STUDY OF FREE SKIN FLAPS SUPPLIED BY INTERMUSCULAR SEPTAL VESSELS / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

In addition to the three existing types of skin flaps, supplied by the cutaneous, the myocutaneous and the arterio-reticular vessels, a new type of free skin flap pedicled by the vessels of intermuscular septum was designed. The intermuscular septal arteries are easy to dissect and have relatively longer pedicles. The skin flaps taken from the limbs supplied by these arteries are suitable for grafting in their natural location.The intermuscular septal arteries of the arms and the thighs were studied and measured on 70 adult cadavers and 9 corrosion preparations. The arteries studied were: the superior ulnar collateral arteries, the intermuscular branches of the perforating arteries and the saphenous branches of the highest genicular arteries. The skin flaps supplied by these arteries were studied with regard to their application in surgery and these vessels were believed to be convenient for the microvascular anastomosis during grafting.The practical value of the skin flaps taken from the medial and lateral sides of the arm, the lateral side of the thigh and the medial side of the leg were discussed.