Anatomical aspects of the blood supply to the skin of the posterior calf: Technique of below-knee amputation
- 1 June 1990
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in British Journal of Surgery
- Vol. 77 (6), 662-664
- https://doi.org/10.1002/bjs.1800770624
Abstract
Whether or not the soleus muscle should be excised during below-knee amputation is a point of contention. The anatomical basis for the blood supply to the skin of the posterior calf has been examined by dissection and selective arterial injection of cadavers. The results showed that the skin used to construct the posterior flap for below-knee amputation derives its blood supply from both axial vessels, running with the peripheral nerves, and perforating vessels arising through the gastrocnemius muscle. There is no contribution by blood vessels that pass through the soleus muscle. When a posterior flap for below-knee amputation is constructed the soleus muscle should be completely excised.Keywords
This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- Mobility after major limb amputation for arterial occlusive diseaseProsthetics and Orthotics International, 1987