An anatomic study for a vascularized bone flap of femur.

The anatomy of the nutrient vessels of the shaft of the human femur was studied in a series of 20 dissections in 10 preserved cadavers and 8 clinical stereoscopic angiograms of the femoral region in 7 adult patients. The number and external diameter of the nutrient artery and the distance of the nutrient vessel from the greater trochanter and the origin of the profunda femoris artery were measured. A single or two nutrient vessels of large caliber originated from the perforating branches of the profunda femoris artery constantly entered at the points along the linea aspera of the femur. The average distance of the nutrient artery from the point where the profunda femoris artery arose from the femoral trunk, which means length of the vascular pedicle of a bone flap, was over 11 cm. We foresee the future use of a vascularized bone flap of the femur combined with the surrounding muscle and the lateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap based on the profunda femoris vascular system.