ANATOMICAL BASIS OF A FASCIOCUTANEOUS PEDICLE FLAP BASED ON THE INFERO-LATERAL COLLATERAL ARTERY OF THE LEG

An anatomical study of 30 cases has been performed on the vascularisat ion of the distal third of the antero-lateral compartment of the leg, with particular reference to the relations of the infero-lateral colla teral artery of the anterior tibial artery, the perforating branch of the peroneal artery, and the antero-lateral malleolar artery. A fascio -cutaneous pedicle flap based on the infero-lateral collateral artery is described noting that the superior, anterior, and posterior limits are similar to those of the lateral supramalleolar flap of Masquelet. The interior limit of this new flap is 15 mm distal to the site of eme rgence of the perforating branch of the peroneal artery. The advantage s of this flap are; a large surface area for cover. antegrade vascular isation. and no significant vascular sacrifice. The distal half of the calf can be covered both medially and posteriorly as well as the prox imal half of the dorsum of the foot, the medial and lateral arch areas , the perimalleolar region. and the region behind the Achilles tendon. The flap requires the presence of the infero-lateral collateral arter y of the tibialis anterior which can be confirmed either peroperativel y or preoperatively by angiography.