股上部直接皮动脉皮瓣的临床研究

目的 探讨切取股上部直接皮动脉皮瓣的解剖学依据并回顾其临床疗效.方法 对20侧灌注红色乳胶成人尸体下肢标本,进行解剖学观察;对其中2侧新鲜下肢标本,予股上部直接皮动脉灌注中华墨汁,观察皮瓣墨染范围.在50例股前外侧皮瓣切取手术中,对发现的股上部直接皮动脉进行追踪解剖.观察股上部直接皮动脉的出现率、动脉起始来源、走行并测量其管径.临床对42例皮肤软组织缺损的患者.采用股上都直接皮动脉皮瓣移植修复.结果 20侧灌注红色乳胶成人下肢标本,股上部直接皮动脉血管出现率为75.0%(15侧,15条).其中2侧新鲜下肢标本,股上部直接皮动脉皮瓣墨染面积分别为11.0 cm×18.0 cm、11.0 cm×19.0 cm.观察50例股前外侧皮瓣切取手术中,股上部直接皮动脉出现率为72.0%(36例,36条).出现的这51条股上部直接皮动脉中,血管起源类型有三种:起源于旋股外侧动脉(共29条,占56.9%);起源于股深动脉(共8条,占15.7%);起源于股动脉(共14条,占27.4%).股上部皮支血管从起点发出后,向大腿外下方于深、浅筋膜之间走行人皮肤,其穿出点多位于髂前上棘-髌骨外上缘连线中点上方3.0 cm、外侧2.5cm范围内,行程[(10.7±3.3)cm,(x)±s,下同].起始外径(2.7±0.2)mm,伴行静脉外径分别为(2.8±0.4)mm、(2.4±0.3)mm.本组42例股上部直接皮动脉皮瓣,皮瓣切取面积为6.0 cmx8.0cm～11.0cm×18.0 cm(游离皮瓣11例,带蒂皮瓣31例).术后3例皮瓣边缘部分坏死,经换药和皮片移植后愈合,其余皮瓣全部存活.结论 该皮瓣血供良好,不携带肌肉,切取容易,可携带股前外侧皮神经,既可带蒂转移,亦可作吻合血管的游离移植.     

跖内侧皮瓣切取方法的改进及应用

目的研究跖内侧动脉向足内侧区发出皮支的分布情况,改进皮瓣切取方法。方法通过８例成人新鲜足标本的显微解剖,灌注美蓝,测定跖内侧动脉所供应的皮区范围。结果跖内侧动脉向足内侧区恒定发出三个皮支,以第２支较粗并与第１、３支相吻合。临床以该支为蒂设计皮瓣局部转移修复足部创面７例,游离移植修复手指创面６例,范围为３ｃｍ×３ｃｍ～１１ｃｍ×７ｃｍ,术后皮瓣全部成活,效果满意。结论该皮瓣质地优良,面积适中,血供可靠,是修复足部与手指中、小面积皮肤缺损的最佳选择之一。     

Anatomical study of medial and lateral sural cutaneous nerve: implications for innervated distally-based superficial sural artery flap

We report about reconstruction of the foot with an innervated distally-based superficial sural artery flap using the lateral sural cutaneous nerve. The sensation of the lateral part of the leg depends on the sural nerve (SN), and the medial part of the leg on the saphenous nerve. The border of the area between the SN and the saphenous nerve, however, is not clear. To elucidate the distribution of the medial and lateral sural cutaneous nerves, the origin, diameter, course, branches, and distributions were recorded in 40 adult cadaver lower legs. The medial and lateral nerves in all legs (n = 40) were identifiable. In one leg, the SN was a direct continuation of the medial branch, and the lateral branch ended in the middle of the lower leg. Thick (>1 mm) sub-branches from the lateral branch were identified in 26 legs. Most cutaneous branches from it ended in the middle of the sural area. We applied the innervated distally-based sural artery flap using the lateral branch in 2 cases and obtained good recovery of sensation. The lateral branch supplies most of the central sural area and is required for the innervation of the distally-based superficial sural artery flap.     

The dorsoradial flap: a new flap for hand reconstruction. Anatomical study and clinical applications

The authors report a new cutaneous flap harvested from the dorsal and distal quarter of the forearm: the dorsoradial flap. The vascularisation type of the cutaneous paddle belongs this flap to the anterograde and axial family flaps. The anatomical study carried out on thirty six fresh cadaver upper arms showed a constant and a consistent cutaneous collateral branch of the radial artery which arises at the apex of the first intermetacarpal space. Two anatomical types were recorded according to the origin of the dorsoradial artery: type I (84% of cases), the vessel arises directly from the radial artery; type II (16% of cases), it arises from a common trunk with the first dorsal intermetacarpal artery. Those anatomical findings does not influence the flap operative technique, the flap design and the location of the pedicle pivot point. The dorsoradial artery emerges vertically from the apex of the first intermetacarpal space, crosses the angle between the extensor pollicis longus tendon laterally and the extensor carpi radialis longus tendon medially and turns proximally towards the distal radio-ulnar joint. Over the dorsal aspect of the wrist, the dorsoradial artery enters the subcutaneous tissue, runs parallel to the extensor pollicis longus tendon at three millimeters in a medial position, passes over the medial collateral branch of the superficial radial nerve and irrigates all the distal and dorsal quarter of the forearm. The artery is consistently accompanied by two comitantes veins, which assume the venous drainage of the cutaneous territory. The flap paddle is designed over the distal dorsal forearm quarter, between the dorsal crease of the wrist distally, the ulnar crest medially and the radial crest laterally. All this skin territory can be harvested and supplied by the dorsoradial pedicle, but we always should deal with the needs of the defects reconstruction and the morbidity of the donor site. The vascular pedicle is outlined between the distal radio-ulnar joint and the apex of the first intermetacarpal space with a minimum of one centimeter width. The surgical procedure is carried out under a tourniquet without an upper arm exsanguination. The skin is firstly dissected over the vascular pedicle through an S shape incision; it is lifted on the dermo-hypodermis plan preserving all the superficial venous network with the pedicle. The flap is elevated from proximal to distal including the dorsal forearm fascia. Over the dorsal extensor retinaculum, the dissection is underwent close to it elevating all the subcutaneous tissues. The medial collateral branch of the superficial radial nerve should be identified and respected. At the distal border of the dorsal retinaculum, the extensor pollicis longus and the extensor carpi radialis longus tendons are identified and retracted. The pedicle dissection goes deeper between this two tendons towards the first web space. It takes all the areolar tissue around the pedicle in order to preserve the venous network of the cutaneous paddle. The donor site is closed primarily if the skin width does not exceed 3 cm or grafted secondarily. Its large rotational arc allows the cutaneous paddle to cover the dorsal hand and metacarpo-phalangeal long fingers defects, the dorsal aspect of the thumb and the first intermetacarpal space. It can also safely reach the palmar aspect of the wrist. We report four clinical cases where the dorsoradial flap was successfully applied. This preliminary clinical experience exhibits the vascular network reliability and the operative technique simplicity of this new cutaneous flap. We believe that it should be added to the armamentarium of the reconstructive hand surgeon and considered as a useful tool for soft tissue hand and thumb reconstruction defects.     

吻合血管的足内侧穿支皮瓣的应用解剖与临床应用

目的 研究足内侧穿支皮瓣的应用解剖及修复手部软组织缺损的临床效果.方法 10侧成人足踝标本经胴动脉注入红色乳胶液,解剖观测足底内侧动脉穿支血管在足内侧区的分布、起源等.临床设计吻合血管的足内侧穿支皮瓣修复手部软组织缺损11例,软组织缺损面积2 cm×2 cm～9cm×4 cm.结果 足底内侧动脉向<足母>展肌和趾短屈肌肌间隙内发出2支相对恒定的足底内侧皮穿支,供养足底内侧皮瓣;向<足母>展肌和舟楔骨间隙内发出2支相对恒定的足内侧皮穿支,供养足内侧皮瓣.11例足内侧穿支皮瓣完全成活,皮瓣面积2 cm×3 cm～11 cm×5 cm.随访6～24个月,皮瓣质地优良,外形与功能恢复满意,供区愈合良好.结论 以足内侧穿支血管营养的足内侧穿支皮瓣血供可靠,质地优良,是修复手部软组织缺损的良好选择.     

第二掌背动脉双轴点岛状皮瓣的解剖学研究

目的为第二掌背动脉双轴点岛状皮瓣的临床应用提供解剖学依据。方法在30例新鲜成人尸手标本经肱动脉灌注天然乳胶-红色球磨染料混合液,观察第二掌背动脉皮肤返支动脉的起点、分支、分布及其吻合支。结果在本组标本中,皮肤返支血管出现率100％。在第二掌背动脉与食指伸肌腱交叉连接远侧（0．5±0．2）cm处穿出,距掌指关节近侧（1．2±0．5）cm处进入皮肤,可见（1．7±0．7）支细小皮肤返支血管分支,在背侧浅静脉的深面向近侧纵向扇行分布行走,这些细小的血管网之间有很多的吻合,皮肤返支血管外径（0．3±0．1）mm,主要皮肤返支血管长度为（6．5±0．8）cm。结论皮肤返支动脉的走行、分支、分布恒定,皮肤返支血管可增加第二掌背动脉皮瓣血管蒂的长度,为第二掌背动脉双轴点岛状皮瓣的临床应用提供解剖学依据,克服了第二掌背动脉岛状皮瓣从指背取皮需植皮留下瘢痕的缺点。     

足部逆行血管蒂皮瓣修复前足皮肤缺损

目的 探讨足逆行血管蒂皮瓣修复前足皮肤缺损的效果。方法足底内侧皮瓣以足底内侧动脉浅支为蒂逆行转移,足踝背皮瓣以足背动脉分支第一或第二跖背动脉为蒂逆行转移。转移皮瓣均行浅静脉及皮神经吻合修复。结果转移皮瓣全部成活。其中1例未行浅静脉吻合术后出现静脉危象,经减张及药物治疗后存活。术后1年随访皮瓣感觉功能恢复。结论足部逆行血管蒂皮瓣转移修复前足皮肤缺损,具有于术简捷、创伤小、功用好、并发症少等优点。     

足内侧岛状皮瓣逆行转位修复足前部皮肤缺损的解剖与临床应用

目的 探讨足内侧岛状皮瓣逆行转位修复足前部皮肤缺损的术式.方法 48侧成尸足标本经动脉灌注红色乳胶,5侧新鲜足标本动脉造影,观测躅横动脉、第一跖底动脉、足底内侧动脉深支的外径、分布及其之间的吻合,并对躅趾底内侧动脉浅支进行分型,观察足内侧皮瓣内的动脉吻合和分布范围.临床上应用足内侧逆行岛状皮瓣修复足前部皮肤缺损12例,男11例,女1例;年龄12～54岁,平均32岁.皮肤缺损面积2.5 cm×3.5 cm～7.5 cm×9.5 cm.结果 <足母>横动脉与躅趾胫侧趾底固有动脉、<足母>趾腓侧趾底固有动脉、第一跖底动脉远侧段吻合形成动脉环.<足母>展肌上缘动脉弓和足底内侧动脉深支内侧支在<足母>展肌表面形成动脉网.临床上采用足内侧逆行岛状皮瓣修复足前部皮肤缺损12例均获得成功.皮瓣切取面积3 cm×4 cm～8 cm×10 cm.全部病例随访1～3年,平均2年,皮瓣全部成活,无破溃、臃肿,足、踝部功能正常,足部血供佳.结论 足内侧岛状皮瓣逆行转位修复足前部皮肤缺损,皮瓣旋转点最远可前移至<足母>趾近节趾中点,皮瓣切取面积大、血供好、手术方式简便、切取后对足部血供影响较小,是修复足前部皮肤缺损的理想皮瓣.     

足底内侧皮瓣的应用解剖及修复足跟组织缺损的临床应用

目的 报道带神经血管蒂足底内侧皮瓣的解剖特点及修复足跟缺损的应用效果.方法 10具成年人体标本(20侧下肢),解剖观测其足底内侧动脉起源、分支、走行和分布以及该皮瓣的支配神经情况.临床应用带神经血管蒂足底内侧皮瓣修复同侧及对侧足跟皮肤缺损8例,供区植皮.结果 足底内侧动脉深支平均长度(8.9±0.2)cm,3～5条皮支.足底内侧神经的分支5～8支.它包含分布足底皮肤直接皮支3～5支和分布足趾皮肤的趾底固有神经2～4支.8例共用8个皮瓣.皮瓣大小为4 cm×3 cm～5 cm×6 cm,6例带蒂转移修复,2例游离移植.8个皮瓣完全成活,所有病例获随访1个月～1年,皮瓣功能、外形良好.结论 足底内侧皮瓣解剖变异少,血供可靠,不牺牲主要血管,转移后能恢复较好的感觉,是修复足跟皮肤缺损的理想皮瓣     

Anatomical Study of the Medialis Pedis Flap and its clinical applications in Asian Singaporean Patients

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to revisit the medial plantar artery's anatomy and study its distribution for raising the medialis pedis flap. Several investigators have reported their clinical experience with the use of this flap for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the hand. However, many have reported difficulty raising the flap due to variations in its arterial anatomy and the confusion that exists with respect to the nomenclature in our literature.MethodsThis study was divided into 2 parts: an anatomic study and clinical application. In the anatomic study, 12 cadaveric feet specimens from 6 patients were injected with latex and barium-gelatin injections and the medial branch of the deep division of the medial plantar artery distribution was studied. We then described the use of a medialis pedis flap in four clinical cases to cover defects of the digits.ResultsThe anatomic study revealed that the average pedicle length of the deep division of the medial plantar artery was 1.94cm. In the four illustrative clinical cases where the flap was used, the average flap size was 4.5 × 3.75cm. Donor sites were either closed primarily or with skin grafts. The vessels used for this flap were the medial branch of the deep division of the medial plantar artery and venae commitantes, or subcutaneous veins which provided the superficial drainage. All flaps were successful without any significant complications. The study is novel in that it describes the anatomic variability of length of the medial branch of the deep division of the medial plantar artery that exits in nature.ConclusionsThis paper describes the medial branch of the deep division of the medial plantar artery and the anatomic variations that exist in the raising of the medialis pedis flap. We have shown how a medialis pedis flap is an ideal option for reconstructing soft tissue defects of the hand because of its texture, bulkiness and pliability in the context of like for like reconstruction.     

带前臂外侧皮神经营养血管筋膜皮瓣的应用解剖

目的：为带前臂外侧皮神经及其营养血管筋膜皮瓣提供形态学基础。方法：在３２侧成人上肢标本上，观测前臂外侧皮神经营养血管及其周围皮肤的供血情况。结果：前臂外侧皮神经近侧的血供为肱动脉末端和桡动脉起始部的肌皮支，起始处外径分别为１．４ｍｍ、１．１ｍｍ，穿出深筋膜前长为１．９ｃｍ、１．４ｃｍ；远侧主要为桡动脉的粗大皮支，起始处外径为０．８ｍｍ，穿出深筋膜前长０．８ｃｍ；此外，桡动脉的茎突返支及掌浅支的皮支营养其远端。其神经支在神经束间或神经旁相互吻合构成纵向（链式）血管网，并借分支与筋膜皮支所形成的皮下筋膜血管网沟通。结论：可设计带前臂外侧皮神经及其营养血管的筋膜皮瓣，顺行或逆行转位修复邻近部位的软组织缺损。     

Flow-through anterolateral thigh flap for simultaneous soft tissue and long vascular gap reconstruction in extremity injuries: anatomical study and case report

SUMMARY: 47 dissections of cadaver thigh were studied to investigate pedicle configurations in the lateral descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral arterial system, which can be used in harvesting a flow-through anterolateral thigh flap. The descending branch arose from the lateral circumflex femoral artery in 38 of the dissections, and the mean diameter at its origin was 3.0mm (range, 2.2-4.0mm). Skin peforators were of the solely musculocutaneous type in 37 dissections and were a combined septo-musculocutaneous type in 10 dissections. Pure septocutaneous perforator was not found in this study. During the descending branch's journey to the distal part of the thigh, several branches went into the vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius muscles. The diameters were tapering and the mean terminal diameter was 1.3mm (range 0.9-1.8mm), which required intraoperative judgment for proper matching of diameter of the flow-through pedicle and the recipient artery. The mean total length of the descending branch from its origin to terminus was 30.3 cm (range 22.5-37.1cm). In four dissections, the descending branch could not be used as a flow-through anterolateral thigh flap because the origin of the perforator arose from the transverse branch. A flow-through anterolateral thigh flap has several advantages, including a large cutaneous area, acceptable donor-site morbidity, adjustable thickness, the ability to combine adjacent muscle or fascia lata and the possibility of simultaneous reconstruction of long arterial gap and soft-tissue defects. Four patients with severe injury and a vascular gap of longer than 10 cm in the extremities were used to confirm the usefulness of this application.     

足底内侧动脉分支蒂皮瓣的临床研究

目的 探讨以足喊内侧动脉分支为蒂皮瓣的设计及临床应用效果。方法 在解剖基础上以足底内侧动脉及其分支为血管蒂，设计足内侧皮瓣、足底内侧皮瓣、联合皮瓣及双叶皮瓣顺、逆行转位或游离移植修复53例于足部皮肤缺损创面。结果 临床应用53例，51例皮瓣完全成活。45例术后随访6～24个门，皮瓣质地优良，手、足外形与功能改善满意。结论 该类皮瓣切取方便，血供可靠，厚薄适中，外形佳，足修复手、足部皮肤缺损的理想选择。双叶皮瓣及逆行皮瓣为临床提供了实用性的新方法。     

高位直接皮支型股前外侧皮瓣的应用

目的探讨股前外侧皮瓣缺乏第1肌皮动脉穿支时皮瓣移植的可能性。方法总结15年来股前外侧皮瓣移植160例的经验,及其临床所见的血管走行、分布、起始部位及血管外径等解剖特点与移植成活的关系。其中有10例以高位直接皮支为蒂的皮瓣移植术,占本组的6.3%。切取皮瓣的范围10cm×14cm～12cm×18cm,修复体表皮肤软组织缺损。结果术后10例高位直接皮支皮瓣游离移植,均获得完全成活。结论高位直接皮支型股前外侧皮瓣是一种血供良好,切取范围较大、简便的皮瓣,当股前外侧皮瓣降支的第1穿支缺乏时,是一种最理想的选择。     

Cutaneous perforators of the upper arm and clinical applications

The authors investigated the distribution of constant cutaneous perforators in the upper arm. A total of 20 amputated upper arms of 10 fresh Korean cadavers were used for the study. Red latex was injected into the axillary arteries of ten specimens and lead oxide-gelatin mixture (radiopaque material) in the other ten. The cutaneous perforators were then identified by dissection and radiography. The upper arm had several (range: 5.7 to 6.3) perforating arteries in the subfascial plane, but only four fasciocutaneous perforators were constant: one in the medial intermuscular septum and three in the lateral intermuscular septum. The constant medial perforators were included in a circle of 2.89 cm in diameter, the center of which was 8.9 cm above and 1.2 cm medial to the medial epicondyle. The mean length and diameter of the extended pedicle of the medial perforator was 2.78 cm and 0.94 mm, respectively. The lowermost constant lateral perforators were included in a circle of 2.44 cm in diameter, the center of which was 16.8 cm above and 0.5 cm medial to the lateral epicondyle. The mean length and diameter of the extended pedicle of the lateral perforator was 2.88 cm and 0.84 mm, respectively. A flap based on the perforator of the medial intermuscular septum is not as simple as with the lateral intermuscular perforator, but direct closure of the donor site is more favorable. It is safe to design a free skin flap with knowledge of its dominant perforator.     

上臂内侧皮瓣血管的解剖学研究

目的:本研究旨在通过对上臂内侧皮瓣深筋膜浅层以上血管的解剖学研究,为临床应用上臂内侧扩张皮瓣提供理论指导。方法:新鲜成人上肢标本10侧,左右各半,乳胶灌注血管。四倍放大镜下由浅入深进行解剖,观察浅筋膜层内血管的吻合情况、吻合支的数量及皮动脉穿出深筋膜的位置。结果:上臂内侧自深筋膜浅层平面发出的皮动脉8～9支,各皮动脉于深筋膜浅层内发出分支沿纵行方向相互吻合。上臂皮瓣的中轴部位即内侧肌间隔区域吻合支最为丰富,其次为上臂内侧偏后部分。每侧肢体均有2～5支明显的贯串上臂全长的吻合支,多位于皮瓣的中部及偏后侧部位。皮动脉穿出点集中在臂内侧肌间隔区域,最远分支距肘横纹(3.47±1.50)cm,近端分支距腋窝横皱襞距离(1.64±1.22)cm。结论:上臂内侧皮瓣血供介于轴型皮瓣与任意型皮瓣之间,切取时长宽比例超过任意型皮瓣。皮瓣为双向供血,无论以近端为蒂还是以远端为蒂切取皮瓣均是安全的。以内侧肌间隔为轴线,沿深筋膜浅层设计顺行或逆行皮瓣血供均可靠,切取皮瓣安全,如需扩大切取皮瓣,向后扩展延伸比向前扩展血供更可靠。皮瓣制作时蒂部尽可能置于肌间隔区域,蒂宽约4cm。以近端为蒂时,扩张器剥离腔隙近端距腋窝横皱襞需超过3cm,远端为蒂时,扩张器剥离腔隙远端距肘横纹需超过5cm。     

足底内侧动脉分支蒂皮瓣的临床应用

目的探讨以足底内侧动脉各分支为蒂的皮瓣设计和临床应用效果。方法分别以足底内侧动脉的深支和浅支为血管蒂,设计足内侧皮瓣、足底内侧皮瓣游离移植修复5例手掌和6例手指指腹皮肤软组织缺损创面。皮瓣切取面积最大10 cm×7 cm,最小3 cm×3 cm。供区全厚皮片植皮修复。结果 11例皮瓣完全成活,伤口均Ⅰ期愈合;供区1例植皮后少量坏死,换药后痂下愈合,其余均成活。10例成功随访,随访时间6～18个月,皮瓣质地优良,外形无明显臃肿,两点辨别觉7～9 mm。患手经功能康复训练后,按中华医学会手外科分会上肢部分功能评定试用标准评定,优5例,良3例,可2例。结论该类皮瓣血供可靠,外形和质地良好,是修复手掌和指腹皮肤缺损的理想选择。     

不同穿支蒂的足内侧皮瓣修复手指皮肤缺损

目的 总结不同穿支蒂的足内侧皮瓣修复手指皮肤软组织缺损的选择及临床应用疗效.方法 对29例手指皮肤软组织缺损,分别采用以足底内侧动脉深支内侧深支皮支为供血动脉的足内侧皮瓣修复指腹及指侧方缺损5例;以足内侧动脉浅支为供血动脉的足内侧皮瓣修复手指掌侧皮肤缺损及指侧方皮肤缺损10例;以内踝前动脉为供血动脉的足内侧皮瓣修复指背皮肤缺损及指侧方皮肤缺损11例;以多皮支动脉供血的足内侧皮瓣修复手指中节、近节环形缺损3例.结果 术后29例皮瓣全部存活,术后23例获得6～13个月的随访.皮肤弹性、色泽良好,两点分辨觉6～9mm.结论 足内侧供区隐蔽,皮瓣切取方便,不损伤动脉主干,皮肤质地与手指相近,应用不同皮穿支的足内侧皮瓣移植是一种修复手指皮肤软组织缺损较理想的方法.     

Cutaneous vascular anatomy of the thoracic region of the dorsum and its role in flap design in the rat.

The cutaneous vascular anatomy of the proximal one-half of the dorsum (the thoracic region) and its role in flap design was studied in the rat. The investigation included anatomical dissection, ink injection into the axial artery, and flap harvesting in live animals. Anatomical dissection and india ink injection of the thoracic region revealed that the skin derives its principal blood supply from the lateral thoracic artery. The cutaneous vascular territory of the lateral thoracic artery was defined as follows: the medial border, along the midline of the back from the level of the inferior angle of the scapula to the lower border of the last rib; the lateral border, anterior axillary line corresponding with the length of the medial border; the cephalic border, a line joining the medial and lateral border at the level of the inferior angle of the scapula; and the caudal border, a line corresponding to the lower border of the last rib. Bilateral vascular pedicle island cutaneous flaps were harvested in living rats based on the vascular territory demarcated by India ink injection. All flaps survived; hence, this flap is reliable, with consistent vascularity, and is easy to harvest, and therefore, can be used as a vascular pedicle experimental model to study flap hemodynamics.     

Anatomic analysis of the vascular network and vascular pedicle of the tensor fascia lata flap (angiographic and cadaver study)

Knowing the vascular network and properties of the vascular pedicle is of crucial importance for elevation of the tensor fascia lata (TFL) transpositional or free flap; therefore, the origin of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA), its diameter at the site of origin, the length of the vascular pedicle, the number of lateral branches, the number of terminal branches and the anastomosis of the LCFA ascending branch are of utmost importance for successful elevation and clinical application of this flap. The study was conducted on clinical (100 angiographic images of the femoral artery) and autopsy (48 preparations) material. The first part of the study comprised analysis of the angiographic images that were used to obtain the information on LCFA. The diameter of LCFA at its origin was measured to be 0.44 cm, while it was 0.33 cm at the origin of ascending branch. The mean value of the diameter at the bifurcation of the terminal branches of ascending branch (inside tensor fascia lata muscle) was 0.24 cm. It has been established that the vascular pedicle of the tensor fascia lata flap (ascending branch of LCFA) is anastomosed with the superior gluteal artery in all cases. Measurement of the tensor fascia lata muscle revealed an average length of 15.91 cm, width of 3.55 cm and thickness of 1.98 cm. Injection of colour-ink into the ascending branch LCFA that enters directly into the TFL muscle was used to measure the extent of the TFL flap vascularization and on the average, the TFL flap was 20.32 cm long and 16.57 cm wide while the surface was 17.52 cm³.