Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2011, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (6): 619-623.

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Vascular anatomy of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap and superficial inferior epigastrical artery flap

WU Dong-fang1, ZHUANG Yue-hong2, WANG Jian-hong1, Cui Huai-rui1, TANG Mao-lin1   

  1. 1.Department of Anatomy, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325035, China; 2. Institute of Clinical Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
  • Received:2011-08-19 Online:2011-11-25 Published:2011-12-12

Abstract:

Objective To explore the vascular structures, anatomical characters of perforasome and the choke vessels in infra-abdominal region. Methods 10 fresh cadavers underwent angiography by plain film and CT scan. Three dimensional reconstructions of the deep inferior epigastric artery and its perforators, as well as the superficial inferior epigastrical artery were performed by Materialized Interactive Medical Image Controlling System. Results The course of the deep inferior epigastrical artery can be divided into three types: single branch, double branches, and triple branches. When the deep inferior egigastrical artery had more than one branch, its perforators could be classified into a lateral row perforators and medial row perforators, which was of clinical significance. Conclusions Current debates surrounding the vascular zone of the skin and its underlying fat at the infra-abdominal region are associated with the intra-operative choice of which perforator to be used: a lateral row perforator or a medial row perforator.  Whenever the superficial epigastrical artery is of large diameter, and the tissue volume needed for reconstruction can be confined in a semi-abdomen, the superficial epigastrical artery flap should be regarded as a preferential choice rather than as a backup of the deep inferior egigastrical artery perforator flap.

Key words: Flap, Inferior epigastric artery, Perforating branch, Angiograghy, Three dimensional visualization

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