The Vascular Anatomy of the Tensor Fasciae Latae Perforator Flap

Abstract

The authors could show that the number of septocutaneous perforators for the tensor fasciae latae flap is more constant and that their diameter is greater than that of musculocutaneous perforators. The location of these perforators on a line extending from the ilium to the greater trochanter facilitates planning and dissection of a flap.

Significance of anatomical variations of the lateral circumflex femoral artery for the tensor fasciae latae flapping

“…The average skin area dyed on the TFL flap, vascularised by the perforating branches of the ascending branch of the LCFA was 20 × 24 cm -similar to the data from the literature [14,16,35]. The distance of the far distal point of the dyed skin area from the anterior superior iliac spine was 24 cm in average, which is a point of orientation in length of the rotation arc of the flap in surgery [14].…”

“…The distance of the far distal point of the dyed skin area from the anterior superior iliac spine was 24 cm in average, which is a point of orientation in length of the rotation arc of the flap in surgery [14]. The TNF flap is ellipsoidal in shape and represents averagely 68% of the distance from anterior superior iliac spine to the Gerdy tubercle, and averagely 36% of the thigh circumference.…”

“…The understanding of the way of separation, the angle of bifurcation, the pathway, with the way of entrance of the ascending branch into the muscle is of great importance in assessing the vascular stalk during reconstructions or graft application [1,4,6,10,36,37]. Some authors share the opinion that the TFL muscle is vascularised by the descending branch of the LCFA [29], or even by the transverse branch of the LCFA, where 5 to 7 perforator vessels are always present [14], which was not noticed in our sample.…”

“…Understanding the TFL muscle blood supply allows a safe transposition of the muscle, as well as the skin superficial to it [4,14,35,36].…”

Anatomy of the Vascularized Lateral Femoral Condyle Flap

“…Measurements were performed either with a slide caliper or a flexible ruler, if appropriate, and labeled in millimeters ± SD. 35 To provide a better overview, we named the branches to the patella the superficial patellar branch and those that supplied the lateral and posterior aspects of the condyle the deep articular branch.…”