ABSTRACT
The descending geniculate artery has received notoriety as the source vessel of the
medial femoral condyle vascularized bone flap in recent years. Its size and location
enable it to serve as a useful recipient vessel in free flap reconstruction about
the knee. It is particularly useful in coverage of unstable below-the-knee amputation
stumps when recipient vessels are limited. It provides the ease and convenience of
two-team surgery in the supine position and its distal position permits convenient
and distal insetting of the transferred flap of choice. A discussion of its use in
this setting and exemplary cases are provided.
KEYWORDS
Below-the-knee amputation - descending geniculate artery - recipient vessel for free
flap transfer - medial femoral condyle
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James P HigginsM.D.
Care of Anne Mattson, The Curtis National Hand Center, Union Memorial Hospital
3333 North Calvert Street, M52 JPB Baltimore, MD 21218
Email: anne.mattson@medstar.net
