Anterolateral adipofascial turnover flap of the leg: Anatomical study

SummaryAimThe aim of this study is to clearly define the vascularisation of the lateral paratibial septum of the leg, defining the basis for a vertical pedicled adipofascial flap harvested from the anterolateral aspect of the leg to cover pretibial soft tissue defects.Materials and methodsTwelve cadaver legs (eight fixed with formalin and four fresh) were dissected. The vessels running into the lateral paratibial septum were identified. The number of vessels were noted and evaluated at the lateral border of the proximal, middle and distal thirds of the leg.In addition, an angiographic study was performed on two limbs to confirm the connection between tibialis anterior artery and the overlaying fascia through these septal vessels.ResultsAll the specimens had periosteo-septal vessels running in the lateral aspect of the tibia. The average number was 6.6. The distribution was constant in all the thirds of the leg.ConclusionThese data are useful to propose the harvesting technique for adipofascial flap with vertical pedicle as a suitable reconstructive option to cover pretibial soft tissue defects.