Essence
- Vastus Lateralis
Position
- supine on traction table
- IR leg so that patella is pointing upwards
- Check with II
Landmarks
- Greater trochanter
- Shaft of femur
- knee
Incision
- Straight longitudinal incision centred over the lateral aspect of thigh
- Start: greater trochanter
Superficial Dissection
- Subcutaneous fat
- Incise the fascia lata of thigh in line with skin incision
- Upper end of wound
- Tensor fascia latae may need to be split in line with its fibres
Deep Dissection
- Vastus lateralis split
- Place 2 sharp homan retractors through vastus lateralis on either side of femur
- Pull retractors apart to split vastus lateralis
- Continue dissection through lateralis
- Several vessels cross the field & will need to be coagulated
- Exposes lateral surface of femur
- Vessels
- Perforating branches of profunda femoris artery
Reviewed by Professor Phong Tran, Head of Orthopaedic Surgery, Western Health. Last updated 10 October 2026.