In:
The FASEB Journal, Wiley, Vol. 27, No. S1 ( 2013-04)
Abstract:
Pedicled perforator flaps in the trunk such as the DIEAP (deep inferior epigastric artery perforator) flap have increasingly been used for reconstructive purposes. However perforator flaps of the upper abdominal wall derived from the SEA (superior epigastric artery) and DIEA have not been widely reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the vascular basis of perforator flaps of the upper abdominal wall based on the epigastric vascular axis and to describe the location and size of the individual flaps. Material and Methods The superior and deep inferior epigastric artery perforators of the supraumbilical abdominal wall of ten fresh cadavers were injected with methylene blue solution or india ink. The location and size of the labelled skin area was observed. The arterial perforators were dissected and the length, diameter and the distance of the midline, xiphoid process and umbilicus to the perforation point was recorded. Results The SEAPs and DIEAPs supplied the ventromedial skin of the lower thoracic and supraumbilical abdominal wall in a sequential order. The mean size of all injected skin areas was 65,8 ± 33,7 cm 2 (9,9 × 8,8 cm). A mean number of 9,8 ± 4,2 perforators was identified. The mean external diameter of the dissected perforators was 0,8 ± 0,3 mm (range 0,5 – 1,9 mm). The perforator length until arborisation averaged 3,6 ± 1,1 cm (range 2 – 7 cm). Most Perforators were located in an area 4–6 cm from the midline and 5–10 cm below the xiphoid process. Conclusions A reliable anatomy of SEAP and DIEAP flaps of the upper abdominal wall could be demonstrated. Especially subcostal SEAP flaps are of clinical interest. These flaps may be rotated cranially for lower chest wall reconstruction or deflected caudally for abdominal wall reconstructive purposes. The harvest site could be closed directly or via a reverse abdominoplasty procedure. Grant Funding Source : AAA
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0892-6638
,
1530-6860
DOI:
10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.742.12
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2013
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1468876-1
detail.hit.zdb_id:
639186-2
SSG:
12
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