Anatomy study of compound flap pedicled with superior lateral genicular artery

Objective:To provide anatomic basis for the flap or c ompound flap pedicled with the superior lateral genicular artery.Methods: The origins, courses, distributions and anastomosis of superior lateral genicular artery were observed on 50 adult caderveric lower limb specimens injected with red latex.Results: The superior lateral genicular artery originated from the poplited artery at the site of 2.9±0.5 cm proximal to the lateral epicondyle of the femur.The caliber and the length of main trunk of superior lateral genicular artery were 2.2±0.4 mm and 2.6±0.4 cm respectively.The superior lateral genicular artery gave off upper, middle and lower periosteal branches to distribute to the lateral of distal femur, and gave off anterior, dorsal and distal cutanecus branches to supply lateral skin of the distal femur at the site of 4.0±5.0, 5.0±0.5 and 1.5±0.3 cm proximal to the lateral epicondyle of the femur respectively.The distal cutaneous and lower periosteal branch also gave off communication branch individually which anastomosed with the artery network of knee joint.The lower branch of i t also nourished to the iliotibial tract.Conclusion: The superior lateral genicular artery can be used for transposition to repair the defect of compound tissue on the hand, distal of the forearm, the ankle and the dorsal of the foot.