[Anatomical study and clinical applications of flaps based on cutaneous branches arising from posterior tibial...

To provide an anatomical basis for the clinical applications of the medial fascinocutaneous flap of calf and to verify its clinical value.

In 20 lower limb specimens of adult human cadavers, the number, course, size, position and distribution of septocutaneous branches of the posterior tibial vessels are marked by means of red latex and black ink irrigations through femur artery and septocutaneous branches of the posterior tibial artery respectively.

The posterior tibial artery gives off several septocutaneous branches at the upper, middle and lower one-third of the leg respectively. Each septocutaneous artery has one or sometimes two concomitant veins. Based on this result, anterograde or reverse pedicled fasciocutaneous flap can be performed for the purpose of repairing soft tissue defects of leg and foot. The flap was clinically applied to treat leg and foot soft tissue defects in 12 cases with satisfactory results.

The flap is easy to dissect, the posterior tibial artery can be preserved with high successful rate. Therefore, it offers an useful alternative in the repairing and reconstruction of nonextensive soft tissue defects in the leg and foot.