Angiographic evaluation of fasciocutaneous flaps

Extensive studies have been carried out to understand the vascular anatomy of fasciocutaneous flaps both in human cadavers and in experimental models. Seldom has angiographic study been undertaken in clinical cases. Before peroperative clinical angiography, microangiographic study was performed on rabbits to understand the vascular supply of the skin and deep fascia. Major vascular dominance could be seen in the deep fascia compared with the skin. Thereafter, peroperative angiography was carried out to visualize the vascular network of fasciocutaneous flaps. The study was conducted in 10 patients who required antegrade fasciocutaneous flap for exposed upper two thirds of the tibia. It showed longitudinally oriented rich vascular network in the flap. This study provided peroperative objective assessment of the nature of vascularity and an explanation for the viability of fasciocutaneous flaps of nonconventional dimensions. The procedure did not have any detrimental effect on the physiology of the flap.