The clinical importance of the relationship between the deep peroneal nerve and the dorsalis pedis artery on the dorsum of the foot.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between the deep peroneal nerve and the dorsalis pedis artery to help ensure a safer surgical approach in flap surgery. METHODS The dissection of 36 cadaver lower limbs was undertaken to describe the relationship of the deep peroneal nerve to the dorsalis pedis artery in the anterior tarsal tunnel and on the dorsum of the foot. RESULTS Four distinct relationships of the deep peroneal nerve to the dorsalis pedis artery were determined. In type 1 (36.1 percent), the artery was medial to the deep peroneal nerve in the tunnel and medial to the medial terminal branch below the tunnel on the dorsum of the foot. In type 2 (25.0 percent), the artery was medial to the deep peroneal nerve in the tunnel and lateral to the medial terminal branch below the tunnel on the dorsum of the foot. In type 3 (30.6 percent), the deep peroneal nerve and the artery were crossing over each other at multiple levels. In type 4 (8.3 percent), no medial terminal branch was observed. The artery was medial to the lateral terminal branch. CONCLUSIONS The dorsalis pedis neurovascular island flap contains both the dorsalis pedis artery and the deep peroneal nerve. Because the design of a neurovascular free flap requires detailed knowledge of the nerve and vascular supply, the data presented here will help surgeons during the surgical approaches to the foot and ankle.