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Microvascular anastomosis through the tibial tunnel: A new technique in free‐tissue transfer to the leg
Author(s) -
Muramatsu Keiichi,
Shigetomi Mitsunori,
Ihara Koichiro,
Kawai Shinya
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/micr.20023
Subject(s) - medicine , anastomosis , microsurgery , free flap , surgery , anatomy
Free‐tissue transfer to a severely traumatized leg has a high rate of vascular complications. We present three successful cases using a new technique of microvascular anastomosis through the tibial tunnel. Because of the unavailability of anterior tibial artery due to posttraumatic vascular disease, donor vascular pedicles were passed posterior to the tibia through the tibial tunnel and anastomosed to the posterior tibial artery or its branch in an end‐to‐end fashion. The flaps survived perfectly, without any vascular complication. This technique represents a safe route, and the shortest route, to an expected anastomosis point. Our technique is indicated especially in cases with a single‐vessel leg. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.