title: Anterolateral adipofascial turnover flap of the leg: Anatomical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve 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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These 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.
authors.affiliation: Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Unit, University of Messina, Policlinico 'G. Martino', Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ioppolo
authors.affiliation: Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Unit, University of Messina, Policlinico 'G. Martino', Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stagno d'Alcontres
authors.affiliation: Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Unit, University of Messina, Policlinico 'G. Martino', Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Colonna
authors.affiliation: Plastic and Burn Unit Fx Michelet Centre, Bordeaux Segalen University, Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Casoli
authors.affiliation: Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Unit, University of Messina, Policlinico 'G. Martino', Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lupo
authors.affiliation: Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Unit, University of Messina, Policlinico 'G. Martino', Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: gabrieledelia@gmail.com.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Delia
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D005205:Fascia / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D016909:Tibial Arteries / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Adipofascial flap; Lower limb flap; Lower limb reconstruction; Tibial wound