THE SURGICAL IMPORTANCE OF THE BLOOD SUPPLY OF THE TIBIA

Abstract

The objectives wereto study the blood supply to the tibia to show its possible use as vascularized bone allograft.Materials and Methods20 lower limbs of both sexes and both sides. The femoral artery of each cadaver was injected with red latex in lead oxide. The tibia was dissected to show its blood vessels.ResultsThe tibia was supplied by vascular circles made essentially by the periosteal branches of the anterior tibial artery which was supported by periosteal branches from the inferior genicular arteries at the upper fourth of the tibia. In the following fourth, the periosteal branches of the posterior tibial artery and the nutrient artery support the anterior tibial artery. At the next fourth (distal diaphysis), these circles were made only by the periosteal branches of the anterior tibial artery while at the distal fourth, the vascular circles were made by periosteal branches of the anterior and posterior tibial arteries and the peroneal artery. The nutrient artery of the tibia originated from the posterior tibial artery.ConclusionTibia has a rich blood supply with sizable feeding vessels; the anterior and posterior tibial and the nutrient arteries. It can be used as free vascularized bone allograft. Its richly supplied periosteum can be used as vascularized periosteal allograft to treat nonunion fractures.Grant Funding Source: N/A