We conducted an anatomic feasibility study of a sartorius myocutaneous flap with a distally based pedicle and proximal skin paddle to cover soft tissue defects of the knee region.

A recent anatomic study by Mojalla showed that the sartorius muscle had 2 distinct pedicles, making it possible to isolate this muscle on its distal pedicle and harvest it with a skin paddle.

This anatomic study was conducted on 10 lower limbs. The 2 criteria assessed were (1) the viability of our proximal skin paddle and (2) the arc of rotation and coverage obtained with this myocutaneous flap.

We identified 7 proximal skin paddles after the injection of India ink into the distal pedicle of the sartorius muscle. In all cases, the arc of rotation of the flap allowed coverage of the knee region. The mean distance between the inferior edge of the skin paddle and the proximal border of the patella (DBAP) was measured at 13cm, and the mean distance between the superior edge of the flap paddle and the anterior superior iliac spine (DASIS) at 16cm. The average skin paddle size was 14 by 7cm.

Our anatomic study demonstrated the feasibility of our sartorius flap with a distally based pedicle and proximal skin paddle. This technique may be a viable alternative when using gastrocnemius flaps is not feasible, or the surgeon lacks the microsurgical skills to perform free flaps.

IV; descriptive anatomic study.