[Adipose pad of the external sub-malleolar fossa. Anatomy and value in liposuction of the lower limbs].

The existence of an adipose formation under the skin of the lateral part of the ankle is constant in both sexes. It is more important in the female ankle. No anatomical study has been made before, except for an illustration in Sarrafian's Treatise of Anatomy, where it is described as a "fat pad of the prelateral malleolar fossa", whereas no actual description is provided in the text. Therefore, there exists no international anatomical definition (PNA) of this constant superficial formation, and we propose to adopt Sarrafian's definition (in French: C.A.S.M.E.). This fat pad is located directly under the lateral malleola, just before the projection of the extensor digitorum brevis muscle. The prelateral malleolar fat pad is spontaneously visible, as a redundant tissue, on the side of all adult female ankles. The present study includes anatomical dissections of seven ankles of fresh cadavers. Its surgical interest resides in the fact that it may affect the results of liposuction of the lower extremities, because it could be mistaken for a chronic oedema resulting from surgery. In ankle liposuction, it will be advisable to perform an additional liposuction of this fat pad, with a syringe, to improve results. Therefore it is important to perform a systematic examination of this fat pad and to note its clinical characteristics before and after surgery in all cases of liposuctions of all parts of the lower extremities.