ABSTRACT
Objective To provide the applied anatomy of the posterior intercostal artery perforator flap and the clinical results of repairing the soft tissue defects with lateral perforator flap. Methods Six fresh adult cadavers were injected with a lead oxide-gelatin mixture for three-dimensional visualization reconstruction using a 64-slice spiral computed tomography scanner and specialized software (Materiaise's interactive medical image control system,MIMICS).The origin,course,diameter,and distribution of the the 6-10th posterior intercostal artery perforators in the thoroax region were observed and measured.Clinically,nine cases were treated with the lateral perforator flap supplied by 7-10th posterior intercostal artery transplantation for repairing wounds in upper limbs.The flap size was 9 cm × 7 cm-16 cm × 12 cm. Results The 6-10th posterior intercostal artery perforator (outer diameter 1.70 ± 0.14 mm) were from the artery in the chest region, which pierce in deep fascia near midaxillary line. The average pedicle length from the deep fascia was (87.56 ± 6.48) mm.All of 9 cases were repaired successfully,the clinical results were satisfactory.Conclusion The posterior intercostal artery perforator flap can be used to form many kinds of axial skin flaps,it is a good option for repairing soft-tissue defect.