Anterior tibial artery flap: anatomy and case report

A simple, large fasciocutaneous flap based on the perforating branches of the proximal anterior tibial artery and venae comitantes can be raised which is particularly suitable as an inferiorly based island pedicle flap to cover cutaneous defects of the lower third of the lower leg, an area notoriously difficult to cover with local flaps. The flap has an extremely wide arc of rotation and can reach from the knee superiorly to the sole inferiorly. It can be transferred as a fascial flap or as a free flap. The secondary donor site defect overlies muscle bellies, lies well away from bone and readily accepts split skin grafts.