Abstract:

 Objective　To study the characteristics of CT-angiographic images of the anterolateral thigh perforators and its source arteries ,in order to guide individual design of the anterolateral thigh perforator flap.   Methods    CTA data of 28 adult lower limbs were collected and three-dimensional images were reconstructed by ADW 4.6 workstation for observation, including the number, course, and location of the perforators at the deep fascia level and the course, length, and caliber of the source arteries were also investigated.　Results    Descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery(DB) can be classified  as common trunk type (TypeⅠ, 64.2%) and non-common trunk type ( TypeⅡ, 35.8%). The total number of perforators of DB was 37. No obvious perforator were found in 3 case (10.7%), one perforator was found in 15 case (53.6%）, one perforator was found in 10 case (35.7%). The average number of TypeⅠand type Ⅱperforator count for （1.5±0.78） and（1.0±0.66）, respectively; septocutaneous perforators accounted for 37%  and 40%, respectively. The caliber of the typeⅠand typeⅡDB as the primary source arteries was（1.3±0.31）mm  and (1.0±0.54)mm.    Conclusions    CTA images have very high application value in the observation of anatomic parameter of perforators and its source artery. It can provide guidance for individual design of anterolateral thigh perforator flap.   

Key words:  Perforator flap,   , Source artery, Computed tomography angiography, Individual design