Accompanying arteries of the cutaneous veins and cutaneous nerves in the extremities: anatomical study and a concept of the venoadipofascial and/or neuroadipofascial pedicled fasciocutaneous flap.

The arterial anatomy of the accompanying arteries of the cutaneous veins and cutaneous nerves in the extremities was investigated in 10 fresh cadavers that had been injected with a lead oxide-gelatin mixture throughout the entire body. It is well known that cutaneous nerves have neurocutaneous perforators, but it was found that cutaneous veins also have their own accompanying arteries as well. The accompanying arteries of the cutaneous veins had branches not only to the vein wall, but also to the skin, i.e., venocutaneous perforators. Based on these findings, the concept of the adipofascial pedicled fasciocutaneous flap using the accompanying arteries of the cutaneous veins, cutaneous nerves, or both was proposed.