Morphological study of branches of lateral femoral circumflex artery based on digital subtraction angiography

In this study, the digital subtraction angiography (DSA) data were used to describe the number, course, and distribution of the branches of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA), in order to provide an imaging basis for the application of the anterolateral thigh flap pedicled with each branch of the LCFA. The number, location, direction, and distribution of the branches of the LCFA were analyzed by selective DSA angiography in 113 patients who needed an anterolateral thigh flap to repair the wound. LCFA usually originates from the deep femoral artery or femoral artery and routinely sends out four main branches: ascending branch, transverse branch, oblique branch, and descending branch. The ascending branch is about 45 °outward and upward with the horizontal axis of the body; the transverse branch is roughly parallel to the horizontal axis of the body to the outside of the thigh or slightly upward or downward; the oblique branch is about 45 °outward and downward to the body's long axis or horizontal axis and gradually turns parallel to the body's long axis; the 5∼10 cm at the beginning of the descending branch is parallel to the long axis of the body, and the internal and external branches are separated near the midpoint of the line between the anterior superior iliac spine and the lateral edge of the patella. It is of high reference value to use DSA technology to analyze the morphological characteristics of LCFA.