Skin Incisions

Remove the skin and superficial fascia from the posterior leg to the level of the plantar surface of the foot. Make certain to remove the skin overlying the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus.

1. Probe the superficial fascia and identify the small saphenous vein and the sural nerve. (G 6.41B;N 471;Gl 34.36A) The vein and nerve are most easily located one finger breadth posterior to and three finger breadths superior to the lateral malleolus.
2. Trace (posterior midline of the leg) the small saphenous vein and sural nerve proximally toward the popliteal fossa. You may observe the lateral sural nerve joining the sural nerve. (G 6.6B;N 527;Gl 34.36A)
3. Remove all of the superficial fascia overlying the popliteal fossa and posterior leg.