Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42452877›Full record

ArticleMicrosurgery2026

Computed Tomography Angiography-Based Mapping of Septocutaneous Fibular Artery Perforators: An Anatomical Analysis.

Jannik Ketschau, Jonathan Mohr, Yannik Leonhardt, Alex Grabenhorst, Hannes Singer, Helena Kram, Nils Krautkremer, Sina Heimüller, Katharina Pippich, Herbert Stimmer and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Microsurgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Jannik KetschauDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, TUM University Hospital Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5520-4635
Jonathan MohrDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, TUM University Hospital Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Yannik LeonhardtInstitute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, TUM University Hospital Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Alex GrabenhorstDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, TUM University Hospital Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Hannes SingerDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, TUM University Hospital Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Helena KramDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, TUM University Hospital Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Nils KrautkremerDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, TUM University Hospital Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Sina HeimüllerDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, TUM University Hospital Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Katharina PippichDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, TUM University Hospital Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Herbert StimmerInstitute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, TUM University Hospital Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Klaus-Dietrich WolffDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, TUM University Hospital Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Lucas M RitschlDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, TUM University Hospital Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundReliable localization of septocutaneous fibular artery perforators is essential for fibula free flap planning. However, the influence of lower-leg vascular anatomy on perforator number and spatial distribution remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze perforator number and spatial distribution using computed tomography angiography (CTA) with both fibula- and artery-based reference systems.

methodsIn this retrospective study, patients undergoing lower-extremity CTA before mandibular continuity resection were screened. Parameters included run-off status, Kim classification, vascular anomalies, atherosclerotic plaque, and morphometric characteristics of the fibula and fibular artery. Perforator number per limb and relative perforator position were assessed using fibula- and artery-based reference systems. Associations were evaluated using nonparametric tests and multivariable regression models.

resultsA total of 491 limbs from 247 patients were included, yielding 812 septocutaneous perforators. Limbs with fibular artery stenosis showed fewer perforators compared with limbs without stenosis (median 0.5 [0-2] vs. 2 [1-2], p < 0.001). Perforator distribution was nonuniform in both reference systems, with clustering in mid-segments (p < 0.001). Notably, spatial distribution patterns differed depending on the reference system used. In multivariable analyses, non-1A Kim run-off classification was associated with a more proximal perforator position along the fibula (β = -10.0 percentage points, p < 0.001), whereas no limb-level factor was associated with artery-referenced perforator position, indicating greater stability of artery-based mapping.

conclusionSeptocutaneous fibular artery perforators show reference-dependent spatial variability. Fibular artery stenosis is associated with fewer perforators, whereas only Kim run-off classification affects fibula-referenced location. These findings support artery-based mapping for fibula flap planning.

Indexed as

ArteriesComputed Tomography AngiographyFibulaFree Tissue FlapsPerforator FlapAdultAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective Studiescomputed tomography angiographyfibula free flaplower limb vascular anatomyperforator mappingseptocutaneous perforators

Identifiers

PMID42452877
PMCPMC13370060

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.