OBJECTIVETo investigate the hemodynamics evidence of the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery in a reversed way. To explore the clinical result of using the reversed descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery as the receipt artery for free flaps for reconstruction of the leg soft-tissue defect.

METHODSFrom October 2005 to February 2012, 38 patients with severe leg soft-tissue defects were treated. The proximal antegrade and retrograde mean artery pressure of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery in 16 of 38 patients were recorded during operation. All wounds had osteomyelitis, bone and tendon exposure requiring coverage reconstruction. And there was no recipient artery in the injured lower leg for free flaps in all 38 patients. Reversed descending branches of lateral femoral circumflex arteries were used as recipient arteries for free flaps (free latissimus dorsi flap, free thoracoumbilical flap, and free anterolateral thigh flap) in all patients. The flap donor site was closed directly or with the skin graft.

RESULTSThe proximal antegrade mean artery pressure of the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery was(81.6 +/- 12.4) mmHg. The proximal retrograde pressure was(48.2 +/- 10.7) mmHg. The proximal retrograde mean artery pressure was 59.07 percent of the proximal antegrade pressure. The donor skin graft survived and wound healed primarily. After operation, 2 flaps had distal partial necrosis and healing was achieved after dressing change. All the other flaps survived completely without vascular problems. All the patients were followed up for 11 months to 2.5 years (mean, 1.6 years). The flap appearance was satisfactory. The texture and color of flaps in all cases were good.

CONCLUSIONSThe reverse descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery is a reliable recipient artery for the free flaps. It is an easy and simple technique that can be used for reconstruction of the defects in the lower leg, with the reversed descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery as recipient artery.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Female ; Femoral Artery ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Free Tissue Flaps ; blood supply ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; injuries ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Young Adult