A study of the perforating arteries of the leg derived from the anterior tibial, posterior tibial and peroneal arteries

Abstract

IntroductionThe present study deals with dissection of anterior tibial artery (ATA), posterior tibial artery (PTA) and peroneal artery (PA) angiosomes or their vascular territories in both legs of 10 freshly donated cadavers prior to embalming. The study shows the distribution of perforating arteries in their respective angiosomes. MethodsPerforating arteries arising from ATA, PTA and PA and passing through the fascial planes between muscles to the skin and subcutaneous tissues were dissected. The numbers of perforating arteries and their distance from easily recognizable anatomical landmarks was measured. The resultant data was tabulated and the average numbers of perforators in each of these three angiosomes was calculated. ResultsPTA angiosome had the largest number of perforating arteries followed by PA angiosome, the least number of perforators being found in the ATA angiosome. The middle and lower thirds of the leg generally had a greater number of perforators in all three territories. Presence of sural artery perforators arising from peroneal/popliteal artery was an additional supply in the PA angiosome. DiscussionThe knowledge of angiosomes and perforating arteries of the leg is essential for flap repairs and reconstruction for injuries of the leg. Such injuries may occur in accidents, burns and non-healing tissue defects due to ischemic ulcers, varicose veins, leprosy, diabetes and nerve injuries.