THE SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE DEEP FEMORAL-ARTERY

Lower extremity ischemia is a common disorder that in the majority of cases is associated with occlusion of the superficial femoral artery. The deep femoral artery is recognized as an important collateral pathw ay to the genicular arterial system, thus accounting for the appearanc e of symptoms only after its involvement in the disease process. Surgi cal exposure of the deep femoral artery is often necessary in vascular reconstructive procedures. Furthermore, because it supplies the bulk of the thigh musculature, plastic surgeons have shown great interest i n the muscular branches of the deep femoral artery when designing proc edures that incorporate myocutaneous flaps. This article gives a detai led account of the embryology, anatomical relations, important variati ons, and branches of the deep femoral artery. Recommendations for the surgical exposure of this artery at different levels are also presente d.