Anatomic variations of the blood supply of the soleus muscle.

A total of 36 cadaver and fresh amputation specimens were studied by dissection. Two vascular patterns were identified--a segmental posterior tibial artery (Type 1) and a proximally dominant posterior tibial artery (Type 2). Type 1 was seen in 77.8% of cases, and Type 2 in 22.2%. Injection studies in five fresh specimens demonstrated numerous cross-connections between the two halves of the muscle. A distally based hemisoleus flap should not be performed when a Type 2 vascular pattern is encountered. Also, vascular cross-connections between the two halves of the soleus muscle should be preserved, when possible.