Published online Jan 16, 2015. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v3.i1.85
Peer-review started: August 30, 2014
First decision: September 28, 2014
Revised: October 8, 2014
Accepted: November 7, 2014
Article in press: December 23, 2014
Published online: January 16, 2015
Processing time: 137 Days and 18.9 Hours
The anatomical knowledge of arterial variations of lower limb is of utmost significance for the present day surgeons and interventional radiologists for minimizing complications during vascular reconstructive procedures, catheterization procedures and surgical intervention for embolism. Lateral Circumflex Femoral Artery (LCFA) is an important branch of Profunda Femoris artery and precise knowledge of its variations can be of great relevance during surgical and radiological procedures in femoral region. The present study reports a unique case of anomalous route taken by LCFA posterior to femoral nerve associated with a prominent muscular branch from Femoral artery mimicking the course of LCFA. Documentation of such variations is highly significant. It may serve as guideline for surgeons in reducing the incidence of postoperative complications where LCFA is used as a long vascular pedicle in anterolateral perforator thigh flap and in breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Ignorance of such variations can lead to fatal intraoperative haemorrhage and incapacitating sensory and motor deficit due to injury to femoral nerve branches which are closely related to these vessels.
Core tip: The knowledge of variations in site of origin and course of the Profunda femoris artery and its circumflex branches is of utmost clinical significance during diagnostic imaging procedures and surgeries performed in the femoral triangle. The present study highlights an abnormal course of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) posterior to the femoral nerve associated with a significant muscular branch of femoral artery which mimicked the course of LCFA. Knowledge of such variations maybe of great help to surgeons, interventional radiologists and physicians in reducing the chances of intraoperative secondary haemorrhage and postoperative complications.