Anatomical study of the superior lateral genicular artery : application to composite flaps of the lateral femoral condyle

Introduction: The Superior Lateral Genicular Artery (SLGA) is the first collateral branch of the popliteal artery. It vascularises part of the lateral femoral condyle and the surrounding musculocutaneous territory. The possibility of using a composite osteo-fascio-cutaneous flap at the level of the lateral femoral condyle is of definite anatomical interest. The aim of this study was to investigate the descriptive anatomy of the lateral superior knee artery with a view to performing a composite flap of the lateral femoral condyle.

Material and methods: We dissected a series of 52 knees, nine of which were injected.

Results: The mean length of the SLGA was 38.9 mm ± 0.06 mm. It gave short branches to the periosteum of the lateral femoral condyle below and to the popliteal surface of the femur above. The SLGA terminated at the lateral border of the femur and anterior to the lateral intermuscular septum, between the vastus lateralis and the short head of the biceps femoris, on average 39.1 mm (21-58 mm) superiorly and anteriorly to the lateral epicondyle; it gave its terminal branches variably. In addition, in ¾ of the cases, it produced a fasciocutaneous perforator.

Conclusion: The anatomical data show that the composite flap of the lateral femoral condyle centred on the supra-lateral knee artery, whether fascio-cutaneous or osteo-fascio-cutaneous, constitutes an interesting possibility as a free composite flap, provided that a pedicle of approximately 4 cm is sufficient.

Author(s): Ndiaye AI*, Gaye M, Wade R, Ndiaye AB, Coyette M, Duisit J, Lengele B and Ndiaye AS

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