anatomical study of the relation between the descending branch of the inferior gluteal artery and the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh

ABSTRACT

The gluteal thigh flap is a myofascio-cutaneous flap receiving its blood supply from a descending branch of the inferior gluteal artery. The superior and inferior myocutaneous gluteal free flaps have been considered as valuable alternatives to the latissimus dorsi or TRAM flap since 1975. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the anatomical relationship between the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh, and the descending branch of the inferior gluteal artery. Twenty four posterior thigh specimens of adult human cadavers were dissected after latex injection of the internal iliac artery. The inferior gluteal artery and the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh were carefully dissected. The relation between the descending branch of inferior gluteal artery and the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh was studied and photographed. The external diameter and the length of the descending branch of the inferior gluteal artery were measured. The inferior gluteal artery gave off a descending branch that is accompanied by the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh. The descending branch was observing in all cadavers dissected. Its average external diameter was 0.3 +/- 0.07mm and it was arising about 7.15 +/- 0.68cm away from the tip of the greater trochanter of the femur. In 5 lower limbs [20.8%] the descending branch was passing medial to the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh. In the remaining cadavers the descending branch of the inferior gluteal artery was passing lateral to the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh in 19 out of 24 specimens [79.2% of lower limbs]. It was descending below the gluteal fold with the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh in a common connective tissue sheath in 21 out of 24 specimens. In all dissected lower limbs, one or two cutaneous branches of the descending branch of inferior gluteal artery and one or two cutaneous nerves were supplying the infragluteal perforator flap. Loop of nerves was found surrounding the inferior gluteal artery and its descending branch in 3 out of 24 lower limbs [12.5%]. Knowledge of the vascular anatomy extends the clinical applicability of the posterior thigh fasciocutaneous flap to patients who might otherwise be excluded because of prior injury or operative procedure