Lateral calcaneal artery as a recipient pedicle for microsurgical foot reconstruction

Abstract

In the microsurgical reconstruction of the foot, anterior tibial artery-dorsalis pedis artery and posterior tibial artery-plantar artery are mainly used as recipient arterial pedicles. These arteries are the main sources for foot circulation and the preservation of these arterial circulations is very important. Although the end-to-side technique or the flow-through technique is selected for the microsurgical anastomosis, the possibility of injury to the circulation of these main arteries exists. We showed the availability of this artery with an angio-graphic injection study in five fresh cadavers as a reliable recipient artery. We also used the lateral calcaneal artery as a recipient pedicle in foot reconstruction without sacrificing the main circulation in two clinical cases. The diameters at the level of the calcaneus were 1.3 mm and 1.5 mm, respectively. (c) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons.