Digital anatomical study of the oblique branch perforator flap of the lateral circumflex femoral artery

doi:10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2025.5.03

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Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2025, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (5) : 511-519. DOI: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2025.5.03

Digital anatomical study of the oblique branch perforator flap of the lateral circumflex femoral artery

Zhang Xing¹, Tang Juyu²*, Wu Panfeng², Qing Liming², Fu Jinfei², Sun Nianzhe², Zhou Xiaobing³ ,Wang Zhi¹

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Abstract

Objective To provide an anatomical basis for the clinical application of the oblique branch perforator flap of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. Methods Fifty-two fresh adult cadaver specimens were selected for one-time whole-body vascular angiography and MDCT scanning, followed by reconstruction using the Mimics imaging workstation. Three-dimensional (3D) layered dissection was performed from superficial to deep layers, with a focus on the stereoscopic structure of the vascular tree of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. Combined with 3D visualization, layered dissection was conducted on the entire specimens according to the clinical flap design and harvesting procedures. The origin, external diameter at the initial point, course, length of the vascular pedicle, and the angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the limb were measured and recorded for the oblique branch. Results Among the 104 sides of the specimens, 4 sides showed poor imaging and 100 sides were valid. The oblique branch was present in 65% (65/100) of the valid specimens, with an external diameter of (2.0±0.9) mm at the origin and a length of (13.0±6.5) cm. The oblique branch coursed from superomedial to inferolateral, forming an angle of 20°~60° with the longitudinal axis of the limb, and gave off perforating branches. Conclusions The superficial emergence point of the oblique branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery mostly locates within a lateral semicircular region centered 8 cm proximal to the midpoint of the iliac-patellar line, with a radius of 4 cm. Perforators within this region can be used as the pedicle for designing the perforator flap of the oblique branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery.

Key words

Lateral circumflex femoral artery / / Oblique branch / / / 3D reconstruction / / / Layered anatomy

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Zhang Xing, Tang Juyu, Wu Panfeng, Qing Liming, Fu Jinfei, Sun Nianzhe, Zhou Xiaobing , Wang Zhi. Digital anatomical study of the oblique branch perforator flap of the lateral circumflex femoral artery[J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy. 2025, 43(5): 511-519 https://doi.org/10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2025.5.03

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