Anatomical study and clinical importance of the inferior epigastric artery / Estudio anatómico e importancia clínica de la arteria epigástrica inferior

SUMMARY: The inferior epigastric artery (IEA) is a major blood vessel that supplies the anterior abdominal wall. The aim of the current study was to provide clinicians, surgeons, and obstetricians with sufficient anatomical data on the inferior epigastric artery, such as its origin and branching pattern. The study included 20 embalmed cadavers, these cadavers were dissected, and the inferior epigastric artery and vena comitans/venae comitantes were identified and traced downwards to the external iliac vessels. The origins, caliber, course and pedicle length of both the artery and the vein(s) were studied. The inferior epigastric artery arose independently from the distal external iliac artery deep to the inguinal ligament in 19 (95 %) cadavers. The artery entered the rectus abdominis muscle at its middle third in 13 (65 %) cases and at its lower third in the remaining specimens. In this study, we found that the artery divided into two branches in 18 (90 %) of the cases; in the remaining two cases, it continued as one trunk. The average pedicle length was 7.2 cm. The mean caliber of the IEA was 3.7 mm. In 18 (90 %) dissections, the venous drainage consisted of a pair of venae comitantes that united to form a common vessel at their draining point on the external iliac vein. The average diameter was 3.9 mm. The current study focuses on the anatomical features of the inferior epigastric artery to increase the success rate of abdominal and pelvic operations in clinical practice.

RESUMEN: La arteria epigástrica inferior (AEI) es un vaso sanguíneo principal que irriga la pared abdominal anterior. El objetivo del presente estudio fue proporcionar a los médicos, cirujanos y obstetras suficientes datos anatómicos sobre la arteria epigástrica inferior, como su origen y patrón de ramificación. El estudio incluyó 20 cadáveres embalsamados, los que se disecaron y se identificó la arteria epigástrica inferior y la vena concomitante y se siguieron hasta los vasos ilíacos externos. Se estudiaron los orígenes, calibre, trayecto y longitud del pedículo tanto de la arteria como de la (s) vena (s). La arteria epigástrica inferior surgió independientemente de la arteria ilíaca externa profunda al ligamento inguinal en 19 (95 %) cadáveres. La arteria ingresó al músculo recto del abdomen en su tercio medio en 13 (65 %) casos y en su tercio inferior en las muestras restantes. En este estudio, encontramos que la arteria se dividió en dos ramas en 18 (90 %) de los casos; en los dos casos restantes, continuó como un tronco. La longitud media del pedículo fue de 7,2 cm. El calibre medio del AEI fue de 3,7 mm. En 18 (90 %) disecciones, el drenaje venoso consistió en un par de venas concomitantes las que formaron un vaso común en su punto de drenaje en la vena ilíaca externa. El diámetro medio fue de 3,9 mm. El estudio actual se centra en las características anatómicas de la arteria epigástrica inferior con el propósito de mejorar la tasa de éxito de las cirugías abdominales y pélvicas en la práctica clínica.

Mastectomía radical con reconstrucción inmediata en el Instituto Autónomo Hospital Universitario de Los Andes, período junio 2012-abril 2015 / Radical mastectomy with reconstruction immediate Instituto Autónomo Hospital Universitario de Los Andes in the period June 2012-April 2015

Introducción: La reconstrucción mamaria es parte fundamental del tratamiento de la mujer mastectomizada por cáncer de mama. Tras comprobarse que la reconstrucción no influye negativamente sobre la enfermedad neoplásica, sino que es trascendental para la rehabilitación física y psicológica de la paciente, su desarrollo se ha visto favorecido. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de tipo prospectivo, observacional, descriptivo y comparativo tipo ensayo clínico, entre los colgajos miocutáneos TRAM y dorsal ancho ampliado, en las pacientes sometidas a cirugía electiva. Resultados: Se incluyó un total de 36 pacientes, dividiéndose en 2 grupos de 20 pacientes para el grupo TRAM y 16 para el grupo de dorsal ampliado, con una edad promedio de 45,45 ± 9,50 años en el TRAM y de 56,09 ± 9,07 años en el de dorsal ampliado, con un IMC que oscilaba en ambos grupos entre 25,0-29,9. Se realizó en 19 pacientes mastectomía radical modificada tipo Madden + TRAM, representando un 80%, donde se simetrizó el 15% de dicho grupo. Se realizó un Halsted + TRAM bipediculado, representando un 5%; al grupo dorsal se les realizó mastectomía radical modificada tipo Madden, simetrizándose el 31,3%. Respecto a las complicaciones, se observó en general que en las pacientes del grupo TRAM predominaron la infección de la herida operatoria y la necrosis, con un 25,0% cada una, seguidas de seroma y dehiscencia de sutura con un 10% cada una, describiéndose solo un caso de eventración, totalizando 11 pacientes, donde 3 presentaron 2 o más complicaciones de las descritas anteriormente asociadas; en el grupo de dorsal ampliado predominaron los seromas, con un 18,8%, y necrosis en un 12,5%, totalizando 4 pacientes, igualmente una con 2 complicaciones asociadas. Conclusiones: La reconstrucción mamaria posterior a la Mastectomía con sus diferentes técnicas representa un procedimiento seguro y que se debe implementar en todos los centros en que se manejen pacientes con cáncer de mama, como en nuestro servicio de Cirugía Oncológica.

Introduction: Breast reconstruction is a fundamental part of the treatment of women with mastectomies. After finding that rebuilding a negative effect on the neoplastic disease, but is critical to the physical and psychological rehabilitation of the patient, its development has been favored. Selecting the right process depends on multiple factors such as patient age, stage of disease, smoking, obesity, adjuvant treatment, experience and technical capacity of the center where they will perform the reconstruction, among other. Materials and methods: A study of prospective, observational, descriptive and comparative clinical trial type was held between myocutaneous flaps extended dorsal and TRAM, in patients undergoing elective surgery. Results: A total of 36 patients were included, divided into 2 groups of 20 patients TRAM group and 16 expanded dorsal group, with a mean age of 45.45 ± 9,50 years old in the TRAM and the expanded dorsal group of 56.09 ± 9.07 years old with a BMI in both groups ranged between 25.0-29.9. They were performed in 19 patients radical modified mastectomy Madden + TRAM type representing 80%, where 15% of this group symmetrize. A Halsted + TRAM bipedicled was performed representing 5%; the dorsal group underwent modified radical mastectomy Madden 100%, symmetrize the 31.3%. Overall complications was observed in patients TRAM group predominated operative wound infection and necrosis with 25.0% each, followed by seroma and wound dehiscence with 10% each, describing only one hernia totaling 11 patients, where 3 patients had 2 or more complications associated previously described; in extended dorsal group seroma they predominated with 18.8% and 12.5% necrosis, totaling 4 patients alike with 2 associated complications. Conclusions: The post-mastectomy breast reconstruction with different techniques is a safe procedure that must be implemented in all centers where patients with breast cancer, and our service are handled Surgical Oncology.

Histological modification in TRAM flap in rats treated with pentoxifylline

PURPOSE: To investigate the blood vessels' concentration in TRAM flap's rat model, in the presence of pentoxifylline. METHODS: 32 male, Wistar-EPM rats were divided into two groups. Control group (C): 0.5 ml of saline, intraperitoneally, once a day, for seven days before flap elevation; PTX group (P): pentoxifylline (20mg/kg/day), intraperitoneally, for seven days before flap elevation. After that, they were submitted to a caudal unipedicle TRAM flap. On the fifth postoperative day, percentages of flap necrosis were determined via the "paper template" method and Tram flap's zone IV skin biopsies were taken for histological analysis. RESULTS: the mean percentage of flap necrosis in group C was 58.7 % and in group P, 31.1 (Wilcoxon test; p = 0.003). Mean capillary vessels number in zone IV's skin in C group was 33.4 and in P group was 71.9 (p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Pentoxifylline was effective reducing the necrosis in the caudal unipedicle TRAM flap in the rat as well as increasing the number of capillaries in an ischemic zone (zone IV). .

Histology of the rectus abdominis muscle in rats subjected to cranial and caudal devascularization / Histologia do músculo reto do abdome de ratos submetidos à desvascularização cranial e caudal

PURPOSE: To investigate the microscopic changes in the rectus abdominis muscle in rats subjected to five delay procedure. METHODS: 30 male holtzmann rats, weighting between 250 and 350 grams, were used. The animals were divided into five groups (n=6): A - cranial section of the right muscle; B - caudal section of the right muscle; C - craniocaudal section of the right muscle; D - cranial section reflecting the right muscle in the craniocaudal direction; E - caudal section reflecting the right muscle in the caudocranial direction. On the seventh day after surgery, a resection of the cranial and caudal fragments of the right and left muscles, respectively, was performed for microscopic analysis. Histological alterations were quantified and the right and left (control) muscle fragments compared. Fisher's exact test was used for statistical purposes with a significance level of 5 percent. RESULTS: The comparison between right and left muscles showed statistically significant differences in group A - inflammatory infiltrate in the cranial fragment (p=0.015); in group C - inflammatory infiltrate (p=0.000) and necrosis (p=0.015) in the caudal fragment; and in group E - edema in the caudal fragment (p=0.000). No significant alterations were noted in groups B and D. CONCLUSIONS: Irrigation exclusively through the perforating muscle vessels is inappropriate; irrigation exclusively through the cranial pedicle causes milder, insignificant histological alterations, when compared with irrigation exclusively through the caudal pedicle; irrigation exclusively through the caudal pedicle causes more pronounced, but still insignificant, histological alterations when compared with other forms of devascularization.

OBJETIVO: Investigar as alterações microscópicas no músculo reto do abdome de ratos submetidos a cinco técnicas de autonomização. MÉTODOS: Utilizaram-se 30 ratos machos Holtzmann, pesando entre 250 e 350 gramas. Os animais foram distribuídos em cinco grupos (n=6): A - secção cranial do músculo direito; B - secção caudal do músculo direito; C - secção cranial e caudal do músculo direito; D - secção cranial rebatendo o músculo direito no sentido cranial-caudal; E - secção caudal rebatendo o músculo direito no sentido caudal-cranial. No sétimo dia pós-operatório, ressecou-se um fragmento cranial e caudal dos músculos direito e esquerdo, respectivamente, para estudo microscópico. As alterações histológicas foram quantificadas e comparados os fragmentos dos músculos direito aos do esquerdo (controle). Utilizou-se, para fins estatísticos, o teste exato de Fisher, com nível de significância de 5 por cento. RESULTADOS: A comparação entre os músculos direito e esquerdo demonstrou significância estatística no grupo A - infiltrado inflamatório no fragmento cranial (p=0,015); no grupo C - infiltrado inflamatório (p=0,000) e necrose (p=0,015) no fragmento caudal; e no grupo E - edema no fragmento caudal (p=0,000). Não foram observadas alterações significativas nos grupos B e D. CONCLUSÕES: A irrigação exclusiva pelos vasos musculares perfurantes é inadequada; a irrigação exclusiva pelo pedículo cranial causa alterações histológicas menos acentuadas, não-significantes, em comparação à irrigação exclusiva pelo pedículo caudal; a irrigação exclusiva pelo pedículo caudal causa alterações histológicas mais acentuadas, não-significantes, em comparação com as demais formas de desvascularização.

Anatomical study of rectus abdominis muscle and its clinical application

To study the neurovascular anatomy of the rectus abdominis muscle with reference to their relation to tendinous intersections of the muscle. Eight human cadavers were injected with latex/lead oxide mixture into the superior epigastric artery and external iliac artery. The vascular architecture of the superior and deep inferior epigastric arteries was studied together with the nerve supply of rectus abdominis muscle. The superior epigastric supplied the upper part of rectus muscle. It pierced the rectus muscle between the first and second tendinous intersections. The inferior epigastric artery had 3 patterns of branching; Type I the artery ascended as a single stem parallel to the muscle fibers [in 37.5% of cases]; Type II the vessel divided into 2 branches of different size after giving a perimuscular branch to the lower portion of rectus [in 50% of cases]; The medial branch was short and small to supply the lower medial portion of rectus while the lateral branch was longer with larger diameter. It ran parallel to the muscle fibers to a level above the umbilicus. Type III the deep inferior epigastric artery divided into 3 branches [in 12.5% of cases], the lower one was the smallest. The other 2 branches were of the same caliber, the medial one was short never reach the umbilicus supplying the lower medial portion of the muscle, and the lateral one was longer, ran parallel to the muscle fibers to a level above the umbilicus. The rectus muscle was innervated by lower thoracic spinal nerves in a segmental manner. The muscular perforators arranged in a vertical row from the posterior rectus sheath to the deep surface of rectus. The point of their perforation to the muscle corresponded approximately to the vascular axis which situated at the junction of lateral 1/3 and medial 2/3 of rectus. The perforators of the anterior rectus sheath to skin arranged also in a vertical row lateral to mid line of rectus above the umbilicus and medial to mid line below the umbilicus. Both the superior and deep inferior epigastric arteries supplied the rectus abdominis. The inferior epigastric artery was more reliable than the superior epigastric artery, as it was easily accessible and easily separated from the muscle with minimal damage. It can be used for free tissue transplantation to perineum, genital area and the abdominal wall. A strip of anterior rectus sheath, should be preserved between the intersections to prevent rupture of the vulnerable rectus abdominis and its vessels due to presence of substantial connective tissue within the muscle between the tendinous intersections. During obtaining muscle flaps, denervation of the remaining muscle occurred if more than medial half of the muscle was taken with the flap, due to vertical arrangement of segmental nerve supply of the rectus at the junction of lateral 1/3 with the medial 2/3

Latissimus dorsi muscle flap based on arterial branch to serratus anterior as salvage of a failed bipedicled transverse rectus abdominis muscle flap. A case report

We present a case of a failed bipedicled (unilateral rectus flap with superior epigastric pedicle preserved and inferior epigastric vessels anastomosed to the thoracodorsal trunk as the second pedicle) transverse rectus abdominis muscle flap that had compromised the dominant pedicle of the latissimus dorsi muscle. A salvage procedure was possible using this muscle as a pedicle flap based on the back-flow from the serratus anterior arterial branch with success. The use of the reconstructive ladder is highlighted