Clinical application of the compound muscle flap combined by the lateral sural artery perforators and the nutrient vessels of the lateral sural cutaneous nerve

Abstract

Objective To observe the anatomic relationship between the lateral sural artery perforators and the nutrient vessels of the lateral sural cutaneous nerve that were combined to design a compound muscle flap.And to observe the effect of this flap clinical application.Methods Ten adult and fresh cadaver lower limbs were observed the anatomic relationship between the lateral sural artery perforators and the nutrient vessels of the lateral sural cutaneous nerve,and were combined to design a compound muscle flap.Clinically applied in 5 cases,and the flap sizes ranged from 6 cm × 9 cm to 9 cm × 12 cm.Results After into the muscle,the lateral sural artery issued 3-5 perforating branches (OD:0.2-1.8 mm) along the way,which provided nutrition for the lateral head of the gastrocnemius and the surrounding skin and involved in the formation of shallow and deep fascia vascular network with the nutrient vessels of the lateral sural cutaneous nerve.From Feburary 2009 to November 2011,the compound pedicled muscle flap were clinically applied in 5 cases to repair the skin defects of the anterior knee and proximal tibia.Flaps in 4 cases completely survivedand 1 case had partial superficial necrosis on the distal part of the flap,which healed after dressing change.Conclusion The compound pedicled muscle flap has two sets of blood supply that could expand the area of the flap,which could guarantee its feeling.This kind of flap could repair the complicated skin and soft tissue defects around the knee joint. Key words: Lateral sural artery; Perforators; Lateral sural cutaneous nerve; Compound flap