Clinical application of perforating branch flap of medial vastus muscle in treatment of skin and soft tissue defects

Abstract

Objective To explore the clinical application of perforating branch flap of medial vastus muscle. Methods Perforating branch flap (muscle branch) of medial vastus muscle was designed by using the surface projection of the medial vastus muscle artery as flap anxial line and the given point of direct cutaneous artery as flap center to repair skin and soft tissue defects of the knee in seven patients.Results All flaps survived well with primary healing in all patients, with one stage healing. After a follow-up for 1-18 months, all flaps turned out to be with good texture and satisfactory appearance and function of the flaps. Conclusion The surgery of perforating branch flap of medial vastus muscle is simple,safe and easy handling and provides a new feasible surgical procedure to repair skin and soft tissue defects of medial femur and around the knee. Key words: Muscles; Surgical flaps; Perforator artery