Objective To investigate the origin of small saphenous vein of distally-based of sural nerve nutrient vessels flap and its clinical application. Methods The origins of nutrient vessels of small saphenousvein and communicating branches of superficial-deep vein were observed on specimens of 30 adult cadaveric low limbs by perfusing red gelatin to dissect the artery. Results The nutrient vessels of small saphenous vein originated from the heel lateral artery, the terminal perforator branches of peroneal artery and intermuscular septum perforating branches of peroneal artery. There were 2 to 5 branches ofsuch distally-based perforating branches whose diameters ranged from 0.6 to 1.0 mm. Those perforating branches included fascia branches, cutaneous branches nerve and vein nutrient branches. Those nutrient vessels formed a longitudinalvessel chain of sural nerve shaft, vessel chain of vein side and vessel networkof deep superficial fascia. The small saphenous vein had 1 to 2 communicating branches of superficial-deep vein whose diameter was 1.7±0.5 mm， 3.4±0.9 cm to the level of cusp of lateral malleolus, and converged into the fibular vein. Conclusion Distally-based sural nerve, small saphenous vein, and nutrient vessles of fascia skin have the same region. The communicating branches of superficial-deep vein is 3 to 4 cm to the level of cusp lateral malleolus. These communicating branches could improve the venousdrainage of the flap.

Citation： ZHANG Fahui,LIN Songqing,ZHENG Heping,et al.. APPLIED ANATOMY OF SMALL SAPHENOUS VEIN AND ITS DISTALLY-BASED SURALNERVE NUTRIENT. Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery, 2005, 19(7): 505-507. doi: Copy