Arterial anatomy of the free vascularised corticoperiosteal graft from the medial femoral condyle


Published online: Aug 27 2011

Cédric Van Dijck, Benjamin Mattelaer, Ilse De Degreef, Luc De Smet

From the University Hospital Pellenberg, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium

Abstract

The free vascularised corticoperiosteal flap from the medial femoral condyle, as described by Doi and Sakai, can be used for difficult non-unions. This flap is supplied by the Descending Genicular Artery (DGA) and the Superomedial Genicular Artery (SMA). In this anatomical study we describe the anatomy of these arteries. The DGA was dominant in 24 of 34 cases (70%). If the DGA was absent or too small, the SMA was sufficiently large for an adequate supply of the graft area. We concluded that of all the dissected specimens the arteries were sufficiently large and long enough to be suited for microsvascular anastomosis.