An unusual anatomical variant of the vascular anatomy in the anterolateral thigh free flap.
The anterolateral thigh flap is a fasciocutaneous flap based on the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. The vascular pedicle and its perforators have a varied anatomical course that has led to difficulties in flap harvest. Many papers have described the anatomical variation in the origin and path of this vessel, but they all show one artery and two accompanying venae commitantes. The authors report the first case of duplication of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. They discuss whether this variation requires two arterial anastomoses.
Bhujel
N
N
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospitals Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. nabinabhujel@hotmail.com
Johnston
C
C
Parmar
S
S
Martin
T
T
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D005205:Fascia / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000473:pathology*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D013848:Thigh / Q000098:blood supply; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods