Examination of the Skin Perforators of the Posterior Tibial Artery on the Leg and the Ankle Region and Their Clinical Use

Abstract

Regarding the results of the clinical study, the authors observed that this flap can provide the desired soft-tissue support for defects that expose the bones, tendons, and neural and vascular bundles.

Redefining Vascular Anatomy of Posterior Tibial Artery Perforators

“…Our data agree with those by Hwang et al 19 who concluded that most of the PTA perforators were located in the lower two thirds. Similarly, our findings are in accordance with those by Satoh et al, 21 who reported that most of PTA perforators were located in the middle third at an average of 12.5 cm from the medial malleolus, as well as with the results from Ozdemir et al, 11 who found that the perforating vessels located at the distal and over the distal zone are reliable in regard to their dimension.…”

Free posterior tibial flap reconstruction for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

“…The posterior tibial flap is also a fasciocutaneous flap and is located on the medial compartment of the leg with a blood supply coming from the septocutaneous perforators of vessels. Studies [7,8] have demonstrated that septocutaneous perforators of the posterior tibial artery are mainly distally concentrated on the medial surface of the leg and its vascular anatomy remains relatively constant. More and more evidence indicates that the posterior tibial flap can provide similar tissue properties but causes less morbidity than the radial forearm flap [6,7].…”

Lower Limb Reconstruction Using the Islanded Posterior Tibial Artery Perforator Flap

“…49,50 The posterior tibial artery perforators are consistently the largest and easiest to dissect, [51][52][53][54] and the flap may be transposed or islanded and rotated through up to 180 degrees about the perforator, and may be proximally or distally based, enabling reconstruction of a variety of lower limb defects. [55][56][57][58] The posterior tibial artery, which is the dominant source of blood supply to the foot, is preserved, and the need for microvascular anastomoses is obviated. 59,60 Flap harvest is relatively quick, and the recipient site has similar texture, thickness, pliability, and pigmentation to that which has been lost.…”