Applied anatomy of thigh medial neurocutaneous vascular flap pedicled with descending genicular artery perforators

Objective To provide anatomical basis for the thigh medial neurocutaneous vascular flap pedicled with descending genicular artery perforators. Methods ① The course and distribution of thigh medial cutaneous nerve. ②Anastomosis between descending genicular artery perforators and thigh medial neurocutaneous vascular, were observed on 40 specimens of adult lower limb perfused with red latex. Mimic operation was performed on one side of fresh specimen. Results ①The line between the midpoint of inguinal ligament and medial femoral condyle can be considered as the projection on body surface of thigh medial cutaneous nerve. ②Perforating branches of descending genicular artery (infrapatellar branch )started from the lower edge of medial femoral condyle about 4 cm, and passed through the deep fascia in which the triangle depression surrounded by the vastus medialis muscle, adductor tendon and the medial femoral condyle to the subcutaneous. They also separated large number of small blood vessels, which closely aligned with the perineural and neural stem vascular chain of thigh medial cutaneous nerve. Then they formated vascular plexus in the upper part of thigh along the thigh medial cutaneous nerve longitudinal axis. Conclusion The thigh medial neurocutaneous vascular flap pedicled with descending genicular artery perforators can be formed to repair soft tissue defect around knee joint. Key words: Descending genicular artery perforators;  Thigh medial cutaneous nerve;  Surgical flap; Repair