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Autologous breast reconstruction using abdominally based perforator flaps has become increasingly popular following mastectomy for breast cancer. Of these, the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap represents one of the most popular techniques. However, surgeons must remain cognizant of anatomic variations in the abdominal wall vasculature that could complicate or preclude planned DIEP flaps. In this case, a 64-year-old female with a history of prior tubal ligations and caesarean sections underwent preoperative computed tomographic angiography (CTA) for planned autologous breast reconstruction with a DIEP flap. CTA revealed complete absence of the left deep inferior epigastric artery, with a sizeable left abdominal wall perforator visualized receiving retrograde flow from a crossing midline branch originating from the contralateral right deep inferior epigastric system. This vessel traversed the midline in a superficial plane in the subcutaneous tissue. Despite this aberrant anatomy, the surgical team successfully raised a unilateral DIEP flap based on the right pedicle. This case represents a unique anatomical variation of the abdominal wall and emphasises the importance of preoperative imaging when planning abdominally based free flaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP) has become the gold standard method of autologous breast reconstruction by simultaneously maximising aesthetics of the breasts and abdomen, and maximising the function of the abdominal wall. While the anatomical variability of the DIEP flap perforators have been well characterised, there has been less attention paid to the hierarchy of DIEP perforators in terms of limiting abdominal dysfunction post-operatively. In this paper, we seek to draw attention to what is, in our opinion, the ideal scenario in DIEP flap harvest. Where present, a medial paramuscular cutaneous vessel (MPCV) may be harvested using the pyramidalis separation technique enabling a complete rectus abdominis muscle-sparing and abdominal motor nerve-sparing approach. Herein, we describe the pyramidalis separation technique and the results in representative cases. In our experience, this technique enables an expeditious surgical procedure, and dramatically reduces damage to both muscles and nerves. Level of evidence: Level V, therapeutic study [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile smartphone thermal imaging (MTI) devices correlate with blood flow, which makes them appealing adjuncts during reconstructive surgery. MTI was assessed in the setting of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEAP) free flaps. We hypothesized that MTI can be a surrogate for blood flow to identify microvascular flow insufficiencies. Nineteen patients underwent 30 DIEAP flaps for breast reconstruction. Images were obtained preoperatively, intraoperatively, and at instances of concern for flap viability. Three groups were evaluated: normal DIEAP flaps (NDFs), flaps with arterial insufficiency (AI), and flaps with venous congestion (VC). All flaps were successful. There were significant temperature increases from max ischemia (24.5 ± 2.1°C) to 1 min after anastomosis (27.2 ± 1.6°C, P < 0.001). NDFs continued to warm until the final MTI was taken when leaving the operating room. There were no differences between MTI flap temperatures before transfer to the chest and after completion of microanastomosis. With questionable flap viability, VC and AI temperatures were found to be significantly colder than the NDF group (28.3 ± 1.9°C versus 32.2 ± 1.8°C, P = 0.003) in the VC group and (27.2 ± 0.7°C versus 32.2 ± 1.8°C, P = 0.001) in the AI group. After correction of the identified flow insufficiency, VC and AI rewarmed and temperatures were no different compared with NDF. MTI recognizes microanastomotic failure and is a practical adjunct in the evaluation of free flap perfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background  Given the national trends in obesity, reconstructive surgeons are faced with an increasing number of overweight and obese women interested in postmastectomy breast reconstruction. While the link between obesity and adverse postoperative outcomes is well established, few studies have explored the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the vasculature of the anterior abdominal wall. Methods  A radiographic review was conducted on female patients who underwent computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the anterior abdominal wall. CTA studies were evaluated for perforator caliber and quantity. Patients were stratified by BMI. The relationship between BMI and the diameter and number of deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) perforators was analyzed using analysis of variance using Minitab software with α of 0.05. Results  There were a total of 916 hemiabdomens included in this study. There was no statistically significant correlation between BMI and DIEA diameter or mean diameter of major (≥ 1 mm) DIEA perforators. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between BMI and the number of major DIEA perforators (p  < 0.01). Conclusion  Despite the increased demands of excess abdominal adiposity, DIEA perforator caliber was not correlated with BMI on CTA. The number of major DIEA perforators visualized on CTA decreased with increasing body weight may indicate a limitation of CTA for presurgical planning of abdominal free flaps in obese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the utility of the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap, the presence of abdominal wall scars can limit flap perfusion. Pfannnstiel scars are among the most common abdominal scars, during which undermining at either a subfascial or suprafascial level can damage perforators. There is an anecdotal belief that raising a DIEP flap in the presence of a Pfannenstiel scar may be less reliable due to vascular disruption. Methods: A clinical prospective analysis of retrospectively recorded imaging from 150 patients (300 hemi-abdominal walls) was undertaken. Preoperative imaging, with two computer software programmes used to reconstruct three dimensional (3-D) volume-rendered images and analyse vasculature, was used to accurately identify and measure perforators. Results: A total of 959 perforators were identified, with 319 perforators identified in the 'Pfannenstiel scar' group and 640 perforators in the 'no abdominal scar' group. All patients, except for one patient with a Pfannenstiel scar, had one or more perforators that were larger than 1.0 mm in diameter. There were no differences in the number of DIEA perforators (6.81 vs 6.22, p = 0.2819); however, perforators of the 'Pfannenstiel scar' group were of larger mean diameter than the 'no abdominal scar' group (0.96 vs 0.85 mm ( p = 0.0027). Conclusions: The presence of a Pfannenstiel scar is associated with larger perforator size than controls and no diminution in overall perforator number. As such, a Pfannenstiel scar may in fact aid DIEP flap harvest, a finding consistent with anecdotal outcomes. Level of Evidence: Level III, risk / prognostic study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The internal mammary artery (IMA) is one of the most popular recipients for microsurgical breast reconstruction. However, it is often separated into sleeve-like layers when it is handled. This study tried to explain this unique behaviour of the IMA through histologic observation. Methods. Nine pairs of IMAs and DIEAs were harvested and subject for haematoxylin-eosin and Verhoeff's elastic staining. Thickness of the tunica media and the number of elastic lamellae were compared. Samples of the IMA, the DIEA, and the thoracodorsal artery from another patient were observed through the transmission electron microscope to further show the structural differences. Results. The most notable difference was presence of multiple elastic lamellae in tunica media in the IMAs, which was barely present in the DIEAs. The mean number of elastic lamellae was 9.2 in the IMA group and 1.0 in the DIEA group ( p < 10−9). A transmission electron microscope showed that the tunica media of the DIEA and the TDA was densely packed with smooth muscle cells, while the muscle cells distributed sparsely in the IMA. Conclusions. The IMA is an elastic artery which is characterised by multiple layers of elastic lamellae while relatively lacking in smooth muscle cells. The wall of the IMA is easily dissected between the tunica media and the adventitia, or at the outer 1/3 of the tunica media. The inner structure is easily torn if microsutures do not engage the tunica adventitia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cadaveric research has widely influenced our understanding of clinical anatomy. However, while many soft-tissue structures remain quiescent after death, other tissues, such as viscera, undergo structural and functional changes that may influence their use in predicting living anatomy. In particular, our understanding of vascular anatomy has been based upon cadaveric studies, in which vascular tone and flow do not match the living situation. Methods: An angiographic analysis of the abdominal wall vasculature was performed using plain film and computed tomography angiography in 60 cadaveric hemi-abdominal walls (from 31 cadavers) and 140 living hemi-abdominal walls (in 70 patients). The deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) and all of its perforating branches larger than 0.5 mm were analysed for number, calibre and location. Results: Both large, named vessels and small calibre vessels show marked differences between living anatomy and cadaveric specimens. The DIEA was of larger diameter (4.2 mm versus 3.1 mm, P < 0.01) and had more detectable branches in the cadaveric specimens. Perforators were of greater calibre (diameter 1.5 mm versus 0.8 mm, P < 0.01) and were more plentiful (16 versus 6, P < 0.01) in cadaveric specimens. However, the location of individual vessels was similar. Conclusions: Cadaveric anatomy displays marked differences to in vivo anatomy, with the absence of living vascular dynamics affecting vessel diameters in cadaveric specimens. Blood vessels are of greater measurable calibre in cadaveric specimens than in the living. Consequently, cadaveric anatomy should be interpreted with consideration of post-mortem changes, while living anatomical studies, particularly with the use of imaging technologies, should be embraced in anatomical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injuries to upper limb has been on the increase and is invariably associated with significant soft tissue loss requiring a flap cover. Local tissue may not be available for cover in a majority of situations, necessitating import of tissue from a distant source. We have utilized the thoraco-umbilical flap taken from the trunk for this purpose. This flap is based on the perforators of the deep inferior epigastric artery that are maximally centred on the periumbilical region. This flap was used in 83 patients. The patients were observed for at least 3 weeks and any flap or donor site complications were recorded. The patients were again followed up at 3 months interval and the donor site scar was assessed. The flaps survived in 81 patients; there was marginal flap necrosis in five patients and partial flap necrosis in two patients. None of these patients required any additional procedure for coverage. The flap is technically easy to plan, almost effortless to drape around upper limb defects, with no significant donor site morbidity and also the post operative immobilization was fairly comfortable. The thoraco-umbilical flap thus is a very useful technique for coverage of the upper limb and is recommended as a first line flap for this purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]