[Applied anatomy of small saphenous vein and its distally-based sural nerve nutrient].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the origin of small saphenous vein of distally-based of sural nerve nutrient vessels flap and its clinical application.


METHODS
The origins of nutrient vessels of small saphenous vein and communicating branches of superficial-deep vein were observed on specimens of 30 adult cadaveric low limbs by perfusing red gelatin to dissect the artery.


RESULTS
The nutrient vessels of small saphenous vein originated from the heel lateral artery, the terminal perforator branches of peroneal artery and intermuscular septum perforating branches of peroneal artery. There were 2 to 5 branches of such distally-based perforating branches whose diameters ranged from 0.6 to 1.0 mm. Those perforating branches included fascia branches, cutaneous branches nerve and vein nutrient branches. Those nutrient vessels formed a longitudinal vessel chain of clinical nerve shaft, vessel chain of vein side and vessel network of deep superficial fascia. The small saphenous vein had 1 to 2 communicating branches of superficial-deep vein whose diameter was 1.7+/-0.5 mm, 3.4+/-0.9 cm to the level of cusp of lateral malleolus, and converged into the fibular vein.


CONCLUSIONS
Distally-based sural nerve, small saphenous vein, and nutrient vessels of fascia skin have the same region. The communicating branches of superficial-deep vein is 3 to 4 cm to the level of cusp lateral malleolus. These communicating branches could improve the venous drainage of the flap.
Zhang
Fahui
F
Center of Clinical Anatomical Research, Nanjing Military Region of PLA, Fuzhou Fujian, 350025, P. R. China. zfh4865@163.com
Lin
Songqing
S
Zheng
Heping
H
D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013497:Sural Nerve; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000294:innervation