Anatomic variability of the vascularized composite osteomyocutaneous flap from the medial femoral condyle: an anatomical study

Abstract

Aim: The anatomical study and clinical application for the vascularized corticoperiosteal fl ap from the medial femoral condyle have been performed and described previously. Although prior studies have described the composite osteomyocutaneous fl ap from the medial femoral condyle, a detailed analysis of the vascularity of this region has not yet been fully evaluated. Methods: This anatomical study described the variability of the arteries from the medial femoral condyle in 40 cadaveric specimens. Results: The descending genicular artery (DGA) was found in 33 of 40 cases (82.5%). The superomedial genicular artery (SGA) was present in 10 cases (25%). All 33 cases (100%) of the DGA had articular branches to the periosteum of the medial femoral condyle. Muscular branches and saphenous branches of the DGA were present in 25 cases (62.5%) and 26 cases (70.3%), respectively. Conclusion: The current study demonstrates that the size and length of the vessels to the medial femoral condyle are suffi cient for a vascularized bone fl ap. A careful preoperative vascular assessment is essential prior to use of the vascularized composite osteomyocutaneous fl ap from the medial femoral condyle, because of the considerable anatomical variations in different branches of the DGA.