Usefulness of perforating branches of the deep femoral artery and vein as recipient vessels during free-flap reconstruction for extensive defects of the thigh

The perforating branches of the deep femoral artery and vein are considered useful recipient vessels during free-flap reconstruction for extensive defects extending from the knee to the mid-thigh or from the lateral to the posterior region of the thigh. Despite being located deep between the adductor longus and magnus muscles, they can be easily identified, allowing for a sufficient surgical field for the vascular anastomosis. Approximately four perforators from the deep femoral artery can be found on the posterior aspect of the thigh, easily identified by dissecting the semitendinosus and biceps femoris muscles. The calibre and length of the perforators were suitable for vascular anastomosis. In this study, we present three cases of free-flap reconstruction for extensive thigh defects using perforating branches of the deep femoral artery and vein as recipient vessels.