• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.136-143
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• 2017

Background The goal of this study was to investigate the anatomy of the peroneal artery and its perforators, and to report the clinical results of reconstruction with peroneal artery perforator flaps. Methods The authors dissected 4 cadaver legs and investigated the distribution, course, origin, number, type, and length of the perforators. Peroneal artery perforator flap surgery was performed on 29 patients. Results We identified 19 perforators in 4 legs. The mean number of perforators was 4.8 per leg, and the mean length was 4.8 cm. Five perforators were found proximally, 9 medially, and 5 distally. We found 12 true septocutaneous perforators and 7 musculocutaneous perforators. Four emerged from the posterior tibia artery, and 15 were from the peroneal artery. The peroneal artery perforator flap was used in 29 patients. Retrograde island peroneal flaps were used in 8 cases, anterograde island peroneal flaps in 5 cases, and free peroneal flaps in 16 cases. The mean age was 59.9 years, and the defect size ranged from $2.0cm{\times}4.5cm$ to $8.0cm{\times}8.0cm$. All the flaps survived. Five flaps developed partial skin necrosis. In 2 cases, a split-thickness skin graft was performed, and the other 3 cases were treated without any additional procedures. Conclusions The peroneal artery perforator flap is a good alternative for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects, with a constant and reliable vascular pedicle, thin and pliable skin, and the possibility of creating a composite tissue flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2004

Materials and Methods: Total number of peroneal perforator flap is 14 cases, which 10 cases were man, 4 cases were woman. The range of age was 12 years old minimally and until 63 years old. The trauma was most common etiology, which was like traffic accidents, 9 cases. We confirmed tibialis anterior artery patency by doppler flow meter, angiography as preoperative evaluation. Results: 1. The success rate was 91%, that in 14 cases, 13 cases were succeded. 2. To obtain successful result of peroneal flap, one must have the anatomic concept for vascular pattern, 8 cases were between peroneus muscle and soleus muscle branch type but, 3 cases were through soleus muscle branch type, so we treated these cases by using soleus muscle including peroneal perforating branch not to injury perforating artery directly. 3. The pedicle size was between minimally $2{\times}2.5cm$ and maximally $6.5{\times}8.5cm$ so we could treat large recipient site. 4. The pedicle length was between minimally 3.2 cm and maximally 11.5cm, average 7.5 cm. 5. The diameter of perforating artery was estimated by inspection, that was about 0.2-0.5 cm Conclusion: The peroneal perforating artery flap has merits that we can approach in avascular zone and has wide movable range from foot to distal femur and little donor site mobidity and can harvest osteocutaneous flap. The weak point was the irregular anatomy of nutrient artery and not to contain sensory nerve.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.695-699
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• 2006

Purpose: In the 1990s, skin island flap supplied by the vascular axis of the sensitive superficial nerves had been introduced. For example, neurocutaneous flaps supplied by the vascular axis of the sural nerve and saphenous nerve have been used. But the flap supplied by the vascular axis of superficial peroneal nerve has not been used commonly. Because there have been few anatomical reports about the superficial peroneal nerve accessory artery(SPNAA), we could not apply the neurocutaneous flap supplied by SPNAA. The aim of this study is to investigate the anatomy of SPNAA, number and location of its perforators, and septocutaneous perforators from the anterior tibial artery in anterior intermuscular septum. Methods: So, we dissected a total of eight cadavers. Measurements were made of the positions of the dissected arteries and perforators from the head of the fibula. Results: In all cadavers the superior lateral peroneal artery was originated from the anterior tibial artery and contributed SPNAA. Arising from the anterior tibial artery an average of 5.63 cm inferior to the fibular head, it varied from 10 cm to 16 cm in length. SPNAA gave off an average of 4.38 perforators to supply lateral aspect. In one case the inferior lateral peroneal artery was present and arose from the anterior tibial artery 18 cm inferior to the fibular head. There were an average of 3.38 direct septocutaneous perforators from the anterior tibial artery. Conclusion: Septocutaneous perforators from SPNAA mainly exist from proximal 1/6 to 3/5 of lower leg. In the distal 1/3 of lower leg where the accessory artery was disappeared, exist mainly direct septocutaneous perforators from the anterior tibial artery. Our results can be helpful to applications of the neurocutaneous flap using SPNAA or fasciocutaneous flap based on direct septocutaneous perforators.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.106-111
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• 1996

Purpose : Propose a surgical technique in donor harvesting method in free vascularized proximal fibular epiphysis. Methodology : Concerned about growth potentials of the transplanted epiphysis in our long term results of the epiphyseal transplanted 13 cases more than 4 years follow-up, anterior tibial artery which contains anterior tibial recurrent artery is most reliable vessel to proximal fibular epiphysis which is the best donor of the free vascularized epiphyseal transplantation. In vascular anatomical aspect proximal fibular epiphysis norished by latearl inferior genicular artery from popliteal, posterior tibial recurrent artery and anterior tibial recurrent artery from anterior tibial artery and peroneal artery through metaphysis. The lateral inferior genicular artery is very small and difficult to isolate, peroneal artery from metaphysis through epiphyseal plate can not give enough blood supply to epiphysis itself. The anterior tibial artery which include anterior tibial recurrent and posterior tibial recurrent artery is the best choice in this procedure. But anterior tibial recurrent artery merge from within one inch from bifucating point of the anterior and posterior tibial arteries from popliteal artery. So it is very difficult to get enough vascular pedicle length to anastomose in recipient vessel without vein graft even harvested from bifucating point from popliteal artery. Authors took recipient artery from distal direction of anterior tibial artery after ligation of the proximal popliteal side vessel, which can get unlimited pedicle length and safer dissection of the harvesting proximal fibular epiphysis. Results : This harvesting procedure can performed supine position, direct anterolateral approach to proximal tibiofibular joint. Dissect and isolate the biceps muscle insertion from fibular head, micro-dissection is needed to identify the anterior tibial recurrent arteries to proximal epiphysis, soft tissue release down to distal and deeper plane to find main anterior tibial artery which overlying on interosseous membrane. Special care is needed to protect peroneal nerve damage which across the surgical field. Conclusions : Proximal fibular epiphyseal transplantation with distally directed anterior tibial artery harvesting technique is effective and easier dissect and versatile application with much longer arterial pedicle.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.619-625
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• 2015

Background The reconstruction of ankle and heel defects remains a significant problem for plastic surgeons. The following options exist for reconstructing such defects: local random flaps, reverse flow island flaps, and free flaps. However, each of these methods has certain drawbacks. Peroneal artery perforators have many advantages; in particular, they are predictable and reliable for ankle and heel reconstructions. In this study, we report our clinical experience with peroneal artery perforator-based pedicled flaps in ankle and heel reconstructions. Methods From July 2005 to October 2012, 12 patients underwent the reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the ankle and heel using a peroneal artery perforator-based pedicled flap. These 12 cases were classified according to the anatomical area involved. The cause of the wound, comorbidities, flap size, operative results, and complications were analyzed through retrospective chart review. Results The mean age of the patients was 52.4 years. The size of the flaps ranged from $5{\times}4$ to $20{\times}8cm^2$. The defects were classified into two groups based on whether they occurred in the Achilles tendon (n=9) or heel pad (n=3). In all 12 patients, complete flap survival was achieved without significant complications; however, two patients experienced minor wound dehiscence. Nevertheless, these wounds healed in response to subsequent debridement and conservative management. No patient had any functional deficits of the lower extremities. Conclusions Peroneal artery perforator-based pedicled flaps were found to be a useful option for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the ankle and heel.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2004

The vascularity of a skin island in fibula osteocutaneous free flap often depends on musculocutaneous perforators that find their origin in the proximal peroneal artery. But a potential drawback has been reported on the unreliability of the skin paddle. The perforating vessels to the skin paddle of the fibula osteocutaneous free flap were rarely derived from a common tibio-fibula trunk, an anterior tibial artery and a posterior tibial artery. Previous studies have emphasized total loss of the overlying skin paddle, if the expected perforating vessels are not present. We report here on our experience that the skin paddle of the fibula osteocutaneous free flap was vascularized not by a peroneal artery but a direct branch of the posterior tibial artery. There were no intraseptal nor intramuscular pedicles in the posterior crural septum which connected to the overlying skin island. Therefore, we performed microsurgical anastomoses between distal peroneal vessels of the fibula and the perforating branches of the posterior tibial vessels of the skin paddle. The anastomosed skin paddle was salvaged with a peroneal flow through vascular anastomosis and was transferred to the bone and intraoral soft tissue defects with the fibula graft. The patient had no evidence of vascular compromise in the postoperative period and showed good healing of the intraoral skin flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2004

Materials and Methods: We studied 50 cases of peroneal perforating branch about branching pattern, course, length of vascular pedicle, and perforating level of the perforating cutaneous branches from Oct. 1985 to November 2003 by doppler flow meter and intraoperative findings. Results: 1) The perforating cutaneous branches were classified into four types, the Straight Branch (27cases), the Proximal Oblique Branch (11cases), the Branch from Muscular Artery (10cases), the Distal Oblique Branch(2 cases) respectively. The most common patten was Straight Branch, that was 54%. 2) There were 3 pathways of these branches, the most common one passed between the Soleus and Peroneus muscles(34 cases, 68%) 3) The length of vascular pedicle in Buoy Flap was variable from from 3 cm to 15 cm, but 32 cases(64%) were distributed between 5 cm and 6 cm. 4) The perforating level of branches were 5.9 cm in average from fibular neck to subcutaneous perforator artery 5) Peroneal Buoy Flap in possible to reconstruct both seperated bone and skin defect in some distance by One-Stage Operation and we can harvest maximal $8{\times}16cm$ sized flap in one perforating artery. If we include more two perforating artery, we get more wide flap which can cover large defect.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.222-226
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• 2014

Four patients with soft tissue defects around the ankle joint were covered with peroneal artery perforator-based propeller flaps. Using color Doppler sonography, the flap was designed by considering the location of the perforator and soft tissue defects. The procedure was then performed by rotating the flap by $180^{\circ}$. Additional skin graft was required in a patient due to partial necrosis, and delayed wound repair was performed in another patient with poor blood circulation at the distal part of the flap. The remaining patients did not have any complications and results were considered excellent. Good outcomes were eventually obtained for all patients.

• Journal of the Korean Burn Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.58-65
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• 2019

Wound caused by high-tension electrical burns is difficult to manage because the wound is deep and complex. The wound is progressively necrotic due to microvascular injury resulting in deep tissue exposure. So, coverage of the wound at the entry point and the exit point is cumbersome, often requiring flap coverage. We experienced a case of one patient for peroneal artery perforator free flap coverage on the palm of the right hand of the entry point of electrical burn. The left foot wound of electrical exit point was covered by full thickness skin graft. Also a small wound was on the left side of the lower back was the exit point of electrical burn. The lower back wound was healed and recurred repeatedly after burn. On postburn day 6 month, through the radiologic exam, metal shadow was identified in the left gluteus muscle forming chronic sinus. We explored the wound of sinus and a foreign body was identified in the sac as multi braid wires thin as hair. According to the patient's past history, we suspected that the back wound was caused by electrical burn injury through the wires.

• Archives of Hand and Microsurgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.290-295
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• 2018

Author planed peroneal artery perforator flap for ankle reconstruction and experienced successful result using sural neuro-lesser saphenous venous flap due to an unexpected event. A male Asian patient, 24 years old, had a history of recurrent operation wound disruption in the ankle region. Under general anesthesia, peroneal perforator and saphenous vein, as well as the sural nerve branches, were identified and preserved. In the process of flap rotation, an accidental division of peroneal artery perforator has occurred. Despite the division of the perforator, circulation was normal. The patient experienced no complication after the surgery. Some study reported that accompanying arteries and the vascular plexus around the sural nerve communicate. In conclusion, sufficient blood supply was possible only with the accompanying artery of the sural nerve without peroneal perforator. So, it is essential to always preserve not only perforator but also neurovascular bundles at any circumstances and any location.