The perforator flap from peroneal artery: an anatomic and clinical application / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the anatomic characteristics of the peroneal perforator branches and its clinical application as vascularized flap transfer. Methods Twenty fresh cadaver specimen with 40 sides lower limbs were used in this study.Lead oxide gelatin was injected to the whole body,lower extremity radiaograph, spiral CT scan was then used to construct three demention visual model. The peroneal artery and its perforators were dissected,number of peferators,distance to fibular head,diameter and the length of the vascular pedicles were measured and analyzed. From July 2005 to October 2009, forty-three cases with skin defects were performed vascularized transfer in our study,surviving rate and postoperative function were followed up for 6 months to 2 years.Results Perforators were seen most at (9.80 ± 0.93)cm,(13.40 ±0.90) cm,(17.20 ± 1.13)cm,and (21.30 ± 0.77)cm beneath the fibular head with the artery branch diarneter(1.33 ± 0.39) mm,(1.30 ± 0.46)mm,(1.17 ± 0.30)mm,and (1.22 ± 0.23)mm,respectively,while the pedicle length was (5.87 ± 0.73)cm,(5.83 ± 1.73)cm,(5.44 ± 1.09)cm,and (5.10 ± 1.93) cm respectively.In clinic,42/43 free flaps survived.Postoperative outlook were satisfied except in 7 cases,the flaps looked bulky and needed secondary revision.All the donor calves showed good apperaence and function.Conclusion There are 4 regular perferators in lateral calf, while perforators in the middle 1/3 are bigger with relatively longer vascular pedicles which are appropriate for vascularized transfer.