The Lumbar Artery Perforator Flap: 3-Dimensional Anatomical Study and Clinical Applications.

BACKGROUND: The lumbar region is a potential donor site for perforator-based rotational or free flaps or as a recipient site for free flaps to obtain coverage for deficits in the sacral region. Because of the lack of consensus regarding the microvascular anatomy of this potential flap site, a robust investigation of the anatomy of this region is required. METHODS: Three-dimensional reconstructions (n = 6) of the microvasculature of the lumbar region were generated using MIMICS software (Materialise, Belgium) for each of the four paired lumbar vessels. Diameter, course, and pedicle length were recorded for all lumbar artery (LA) perforators. Statistical analysis was performed using SigmaStat 4.0 and graphs were generated using GraphPad Prism 6 Software. RESULTS: Perforators arising from the first pair of LAs are reliably detected along the inferior margin of the 12th rib, extending inferiorly and laterally from the midline while perforators arising from the fourth pair of LA perforate the fascia along a horizontal plane connecting the posterior iliac crests. There are significantly more cutaneous perforators arising from the first (L1) and fourth (L4) pairs of LA than from the second (L2) and third (L3) (mean ± SD: L1, 5.5 ± 1.2; L2, 1.4 ± 0.7; L3, 1.3 ± 0.7; L4, 4.8 ± 1.0; P < 0.05). The average perforator diameter arising from L1 is greater than those arising from L4 (diameter ± SD: L1, 1.2 mm ± 0.2 >L4, 0.8 mm ± 0.2; P < 0.0001). L1 and L4 perforators have longer pedicle lengths than those arising from L2 and L3 (length ± SD: L1, 98.2 mm ± 57.8; L4, 106.1 mm ± 23.3 >L2, 67.5 mm ± 27.4; L3, 78.5 mm ± 30.3; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Perforators arising from the first and fourth LAs arise in a predictable fashion, have adequate pedicle lengths, and are of suitable diameter to support a perforator flap. We present a case to support the potential use of this flap for microvascular breast reconstruction.

Anatomical Study of the Princeps Pollicis Artery Perforator Flap.

BACKGROUND: The volar aspect of the thumb often requires local flaps for reconstruction. This study characterizes perforators of the princeps pollicis artery (PPA) and evaluates the potential of a local propeller-type flap raised using these perforators for reconstruction of these defects. METHODS: Cadavers underwent whole-body lead-oxide injection and were then imaged using a 64-slice spiral computed tomographic scanner. The DICOM images were imported into Materialise's Interactive Medical Imaging Control System (Materialise, Belgium) for 3-dimensional reconstruction of the microvasculature. The number, length, caliber, and location of perforators arising from the PPA were determined and a plot was generated illustrating the relative distribution of perforators. RESULTS: A total of 16 PPA perforators were identified in the 8 specimen hands. Perforators had a mean (SD) diameter of 1.2 (0.4) mm and mean (SD) length of 8.9 (4.8) mm. The PPA perforators were consistently identified along the radial aspect of the thenar region. Seventy percent of all PPA perforators can be found over the distal 50% of the MC [20%-54%; mean (1SD)]. CONCLUSIONS: Perforators of the PPA were found in all hands and the average caliber and length of the perforators identified is sufficient for the creation of a local perforator flap. This, coupled with the mean location of these perforators, arising near the base of the thumb, confirms that a cutaneous flap from the thenar region can be raised based on this perforator as a propeller flap to obtain coverage of distal cutaneous defects of the thumb.

The use of retrograde limb of internal mammary vein in autologous breast reconstruction with DIEAP flap: anatomical and clinical study.

BACKGROUND: It has been postulated that the abdominal skin may have either predominantly deep or superficial venous drainage. This may account for complications arising from autologous breast reconstruction using the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEAP) flap. In this study, we evaluate the use of the retrograde limb of the internal mammary vein (IMV) as a second recipient vein in reconstructions with the DIEAP flap. METHODS: In Part A, 10 IMVs were harvested from 5 fresh cadavers and the flow of methylene blue through the retrograde limb and the presence of valves were evaluated under a stereoscopic microscope.In Part B, the clinical outcomes of 38 patients who underwent single or bilateral autologous breast reconstruction using the DIEAP flap technique between January 2007 and March 2011 were reviewed. A total of 48 flaps were evaluated: 31 with single vein anastomosis and 17 with 2-vein anastomosis. RESULTS: In Part A, no valves were identified in the IMVs. In all 10 cadaver IMVs, there was free flow of methylene blue in both antegrade (superior) and retrograde (inferior) directions.In Part B, a retrospective analysis of the 2 patient outcomes was performed. Outcomes assessed included total flap loss, partial flap necrosis, fat necrosis, wound infection, wound dehiscence, and hematoma. Results were compared using a 2-tailed Fisher exact test with a critical P value of 0.05. No statistically significant differences between groups were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The retrograde limb of the IMV seems to be a safe alternate recipient vein in DIEAP and muscle sparing free TRAM autologous breast reconstruction. This study does not identify a significant reduction in overall fat necrosis or overall complications when using the 2 venous repair techniques versus the simple venous repair technique.

Computed tomographic angiography for localization of the cutaneous perforators of the leg.

BACKGROUND: Results of vascular anatomical studies of the lower limb in the past have been primarily descriptive in nature and are therefore less useful in directing the design of local perforator-based flaps. The purpose of this study was to document the three-dimensional anatomy of the cutaneous perforators arising from the anterior tibial, posterior tibial, and peroneal arteries and provide a statistically verified method for predicting perforator location for use in the clinical setting. METHODS: Computed tomographic angiography and three-dimensional reconstructions of the lower limb using Mimics software were completed for five lead oxide-injected cadavers. The cutaneous perforators of the vessels of the tibial trunk were identified, and perforator diameter, course, and location relative to leg length were determined. Cluster analysis was performed to evaluate the consistency of perforator locations across individuals. RESULTS: The anterior tibial artery had the greatest number of perforator vessels, which clustered into three groups centered at 83 ± 6 percent (percent of tibial height ± SD), 59 ± 7 percent, and 28 ± 9 percent. Peroneal artery perforators were clustered in two groups centered at 61 ± 9 percent and 27 ± 11 percent. The posterior tibial artery perforators could also be divided into two groups; however, a larger SD in the two groups suggests that perforators arising from this vessel are more evenly spaced. CONCLUSIONS: Statistical analysis demonstrated that the major perforator vessels of the tibial trunk are conserved across individuals and can be reliably dissected using the cluster's statistical distribution. Results of this study will allow for better preoperative planning of local flaps.