[Applied anatomy of osteo-periosteal flap pedicled with superior malleolar branch of anterior tibial artery].

In order to investigate the blood supply of osteo-periosteal flap of lateral inferior part of tibia, 40 lower limbs of adult cadavers were observed. The result showed that the superior malleolar branch was the biggest branch on the lateral inferior part of tibia and served as the main blood supply to the above area. It originated from the anterior tibial artery, 3.1 +/- 0.8 cm above the intermalleolar line. During its way to the anterior border of the tibia, it gave out the ascending and descending branches. The ascending branch was along the anterior border upward and anastomosed with the musculo-periosteol branch of the anterior tibial artery at the level of 6.3 +/- 1.3 cm above the intermalleolar line. The decending branch was anastomosed with the anterior medial malleolar artery. For the anastomosis between the superior malleolar branch with the peripheral vessels, the osteo-periosteol flap could be designed at the lateral side of the lower part of tibia in size of 8-10 cm x 4-6 cm. This was a new donor area of osteo-periosteol flap for repair of non-union of bone in lower end of tibia or arthrodesis of the ankle joint.