Summary
A new fasciocutaneous reversed-flow island flap of the thigh is presented which is independent of the presence of perfused blood vessels below the level of the knee joint-line. The pedicle, which is supplied by the proximal genicular anastomotic network, consists of the osteoarticular branch (OAB) and concomitant veins of the descending genicular artery. Based on cadaver dissections the OAB arose in 23/30 specimens (77%) together with the saphenous artery (SA). In 2/30 specimens (7%) the OAB originated directly from the superficial femoral artery and in 1/30 specimens (3%) the OAB was absent. The OAB gave off one to three cutaneous branches to the overlying skin in 26/30 specimens (87%). We were able to elevate a flap on the osteoarticular branch alone in 57%. Additional length could be added to the pedicle in 33% by including the most proximal part of the saphenous artery together with its first cutaneous branch. Thus, in 90% of the dissections a reversed-flow island flap could be raised which reached the proximal half of the leg, the knee and the most distal part of the thigh. We report our early clinical experience.
Résumé
Un nouveau lambeau fasciocutané en îlot de la cuisse à flux inversé est présenté, dont la caractéristique est d'être indépendant de la présence de vaisseaux sanguins perfusés au-dessous du niveau de l'interligne articulaire du genou. Le pédicule est constitué par le réseau anastomotique proximal du genou centré sur le rameau ostéo-articulaire (ROA) de l'artère descendante du genou (ADG) et ses veines satellites. CE ROA a été étudié sur des dissections cadavériques, il naissait 23 fois sur 30 (77%) d'un tronc commun avec l'artère saphène (AS), dans 2 cas sur 30 (7%) il naissait directement de l'artère fémorale superficielle, et dans 1 cas sur 30 (3%) il était absent. Le ROA abandonnait 1 à 3 branches cutanées aux téguments adjacents sur 26 des 30 spécimens (87%). Il fut possible de lever un lambeau centré sur le ROA seul dans 57% des cas. Il est possible d'allonger le pédicule en incluant la partie la plus proximale de l'artére saphène et sa première branche cutanée dans 33 % des cas. En recourant ou non à cet artifice, sur 90% des dissections, il aurait été possible de lever un lambeau en îlot à flux inversé qui aurait atteint la partie proximale de la jambe, le genou et la partie le plus distale de la cuisse. Nos premiers cas cliniques sont présentés.
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Ballmer, F.T., Masquelet, A.C. The reversed-flow medio-distal fasciocutaneous island thigh flap: anatomic basis and clinical applications. Surg Radiol Anat 20, 311–316 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01630611
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01630611