Background <p>Pigs have been increasingly employed as an animal model in vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) research. However, one obvious shortcoming of the composite tissue skeletal graft (CTSG) in this model is its bulkiness. We aimed to reduce its bulkiness on the basis of anatomical research.</p> Methods <p>Twenty fresh pig cadavers infused with black/red-colored lard were used for anatomical research (<i>n</i> = 15) and harvesting of the CTSG (<i>n</i> = 5). The vessels involved in the CTSG were carefully dissected and photographed. The primary parameters were the course and muscular branches of related vessels. On the basis of the anatomical observations, the surgical procedures of the CTSG were optimized.</p> Results <p>There were eight groups of vessels involved in CTSG: (1) the superficial circumflex iliac artery, (2) the lateral circumflex femoral artery, (3) the deep femoral artery, (4) the direct muscular branches of the femoral artery, (5) the saphenous artery, (6) the caudal femoral artery, (7) the medial/lateral sural artery and (8) the direct muscular branches of the cranial tibial artery. The operation was performed in the supine position first, followed by the lateral position. In the supine position, the former four groups of vessels were first identified and ligated, whereas the fifth group of vessels was protected, and the femoral artery was freed from the femoral canal. In the lateral position, the sixth to the eighth groups of vessels were protected.</p> Conclusions <p>On the basis of its vascular anatomy, the surgical procedure of the CTSG was optimized and has shown great feasibility.</p> Level of evidence: Not ratable