Fig. 4
Description of anatomical characteristics and parameter measurement of ALTPs. a–d Maximum intensity projection image (a) and cinematic rendering images (b–d) represented by a three-tier organization structure (from deep blood vessel to subcutaneous tissue). A solitary origin of the descending branch directly from the deep femoral artery was identified. A total of eight perforators (five septocutaneous perforators and three musculocutaneous perforators) were found; two perforators originated from the ascending branch and the remaining six perforators from the descending branch. The emerging point of perforators through deep fascia was marked in cinematic rendering images. e–h Measurement of maximum length (18.3 cm) of perforator from the origin of descending branch to the emerging point at deep fascia (e) and minimum length (2.3 cm) of perforator (f). The emerging point of a perforator containing two main sub-branches in distal was marked by a red arrow (g), and the diameter of a skin flap nourished by this perforator was 6.8 cm (h)