Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2011, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (6): 614-618.

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Applied anatomy of deep inferior epigastric perforator flap

CUI Huai-rui, WU Dong-fang, TANG Mao-lin, MEI Jin, DAI Kai-yu, HU Si-wang, CHEN Shi-xin   

  1. CUI Huai-rui, WU Dong-fang, TANG Mao-lin, MEI Jin, DAI Kai-yu, HU Si-wang, CHEN Shi-xin
  • Received:2011-09-20 Online:2011-11-25 Published:2011-12-12

Abstract:

Objective To study the morphological features of the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) using angiography and 3D visualization, in order to provide anatomic evidence for clinical application of the DIEP flap. Methods The systemic arteriography using the modified mixture of lead oxide-gelatine was performed on seven fresh adult cadavers and the polyvinyl alcohol-bismuth oxide on three specimens. All of the cadavers were serially scanned by a spiral CT. After that DIEP and their source artery were reconstructed by Mimics. The relevant information of DIEP was also observed by layers dissection combined with X-ray examination. The other five fresh bodies were used and underwent red latex injection. They were dissected by layers to observe DIEP and their source artery with whole course tracing. Results An average of six perforators with a diameter of over 0.5mm was located on each side of the DIEP flap. It was about 62% of the medial perforators and 38% of the lateral ones. The vascular cross-linking across the midline of the abdominal flap was rich and true. There always were perforators with a diameter of over 0.8mm within 4cm below the umbilicus or on bilateral of the umbilicus. Conclusions The medial perforators of the deep inferior epigastric artery are dominant arteries; the perforators near the umbilicus should be first considered when the DIEP flap is taken; it is reasonable to take a transverse DIEP flap.

Key words: Perforating flap, Inferior epigastric artery, Angiography, 3D-visualization, Digital anatomy

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