Anatomic study of the distally based vastus lateralis muscle flap

The anatomy of the vascular perforation to the distal portions of the vastus lateralis muscle has been studied in 20 cadaver extremities to outline the vascular basis for distally based vastus lateralis muscle flap. From the 15.4 +/- 2.4, 11.8 +/- 1.7, and 7.9 +/- 2.0 cm distally to the patella, three quite large branches that issue from the deep femoral artery with the mean diameter of 2.8 +/- 0.2, 2.6 +/- 0.2, and 2.2 +/- 0.3 mm, respectively, distribute the distal parts of vastus lateralis muscle. These branches are thought to be an anatomic basis for the distally based vastus lateralis muscle flap. This allows the distally based vastus lateralis muscle flap to be raised for coverage of defects (1) in the popliteal fossa posterior and inferior portions of the knee anteriorly, (2) in the proximal one-third of the leg, and (3) for a below-knee amputation and the rotation of muscle tissue, such as when the gastrocnemius and soleus muscle are unavailable.