[Arterial anatomy of peroneal flaps assessed by Doppler study and arteriography]

Clinical applications of fasciocutaneous peroneal island flaps are important. 25 patients with cutaneous or composite defects of the lower extremity have been investigated by preoperative Doppler flowmeter and angiography. This before and after reviewed study allow the authors to establish a clinically useful peroneal arterial map which particularly concern the number and distribution of the postero-lateral septocutaneous arteries. The false positive and negative results of these two examinations are presented and explain differences with anatomic findings. Two anatomic variations are revealed by arteriography and are important for the surgical procedure. The first is the inconstant "circumflex peroneal artery" (12 cases on 22) which is the uppermost posterolateral cutaneous vessel which arises from the posterior tibial artery. The second is the angiographic view of a proximal bifurcation of the peroneal artery (9 cases). Regarding these findings, the authors classify the indications of preoperative angiography: absolute, useful, useless according to each case.