Applied Anatomy Of Lateral Dorsal Island Flap With The Lateral Foot Arch Artery Pedicled

Objective To provide anatomical basis for expanding the operation mode of lateraldorsal island flap Methods The anatomic study was carried out on33sides of adult cadavericlower limb which were perfused with red emulsion. With the help of operation microscope(×10), we observed anastomosis of lateral dorsal artery and lateral plantar artery.Last wemeasured location, diameter, length of the lateral foot artery arch.Results Lateral dorsalartery and lateral plantar artery from the front to the back with three constant anastomoses.thelateral tarsal artery come from lateral dorsal artery chain in the tuberosity of fifth metatarsaltrailing issued one branche go through the peroneus brevis tendon of the medial (91%) orlateral (9%) and anastomosis with lateral plantar artery, the anastomosis arch named the firstbranch of lateral foot artery arch.Its external diameter is (0.7±0.1)mm,accounted for54.5%(18sides).The calcaneus branch of lateral posterior malleolus artery issued one branche at theintersection of lateral malleolus leading-edge extension line with the outer edge of thecalcaneus.This branche anastomosis with the lateral plantar artery. This branche was namedthe second branch of lateral foot artery arch Its external diameter is (0.9±0.1)mm,accountedfor88.0%(29sides).According to the arterial arch running position will be divided into themuscle outside type and muscle underside type.Muscle outside type accounted for39%(13sides) is done in the abductor digiti minimi surface and anastomosis with lateral plantar arterygo outside.The muscle underside type accounted for61%(20sides) walking in the abductordigiti minimi deep surface anastomosis with lateral plantar artery.The calcaneus branch oflateral posterior malleolus artery issued one branche at the intersection of lateral posteriorextension line with the outer edge of the calcaneus.This branche anastomosis with the lateralplantar artery. This branche was named the third branch of lateral foot artery arch Its externaldiameter is (1.0±0.2)mm,accounted for78.8%(26sides).This branche go through betweenthe abductor digiti minimi and calcaneus.Conclusion The lateral foot artery arch enables thedorsalis pedis artery and lateral plantar artery formed communication.The lateral dorsalisland flap who with the lateral foot arch artery pedicled is a ideal skin flap to repair the skindefect about lateral plantar and lateral calcaneus.