Abstract:

Objective　To explore the anatomic characteristics of the perforators from the peroneal arteriess to provide morphological basis for design of flaps with double perforators from the peroneal artery. Methods　Eight fresh lower limbs of human cadavers were injected with a modified mix of lead oxide and latex. The cutaneous perforator greater than 0.5 mm in diameter was dissected,  recorded in dissection notes and photographed. The number of perforators, distance to fibular head, diameter and the length of the vascular pedicles were measured and  analyzed. Perforators suitable for flaps with double perforators from the peroneal artery were identified. 7 cases with the skin defects were reconstructed with flaps with double perforators from the peroneal artery were identified. the size of the flaps ranged from 5 cm×9 cm  to  8 cm×15 cm.　Results　The number of perforators greater than 0.5 mm in diameter was 4～5. The second perforator was  the largestone with a diameter of (0.94±0.11)mm and a pedicle length of (6.61±1.32)cm. The second perforator could supply alarger area of skin and serve as the preferred pedicle for design of a flap with double perforators .Clinically, 7 free flaps survived , the flap is good in texture, satisfactory in appearance and functional recovery.　Conclusions　A larger flap with double perforators from the peroneal artery can be harvested safely with its pedicles based on the second perforator and any other one.

Key words: Peroneal artery, Perforator flap, Anatomy, Transplantation