AAS ›› 2014, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (4): 531-535.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.0529-1356.2014.04.016

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Anatomy of the superficial epigastric artery perforator flap in rats

FANG Dong1 LIN Hai-shuang1 YU Feng1 ZHANG Si-fang1 DING Mao-chao1 CUI Huai-rui 1,2* TANG Mao-lin1 XU Da-chuan2   

  1. 1. Department of Anatomy, Wenzhou Medical College, Zhejiang Wenzhou 325035, China;2. Institute of Clinical Anatomy, Southen Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
  • Received:2014-02-27 Revised:2014-04-23 Online:2014-08-06 Published:2014-08-06
  • Contact: CUI Huai-rui E-mail:zjwzchr@126.com

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the anatomy of the superficial epigastric artery perforator flap, and to provide anatomical basis for harvesting flap. Methods Of 27 SD rats, 7 were used for gross anatomy observation and anatomic characteristics and 20 rats for lead oxide-gelatin injection followed by computer picture processing, measurements and the related parameters recording. Results The superficial epigastric artery originated from femoral artery, and gave off its first branch when passed through the superficial fascia. The trunk branched into a lateral perforator and a medial perforator, which anastomosed with thoracodorsal artery and lateral thoracic artery, respectively. The average external diameter of superficial epigastric artery was(0.46±0.02)mm at its starting point,and(0.46±002)mm at the superficial fascia level. The nutritive area of superficial epigastric artery was (18.37±3.67) cm2. The anastomosed area with thoracodorsal artery and lateral thoracic artery was(5.34±0.86)cm and(6.28±0.29)cm, respectively, away from the horizontal line through axillary,and (4.38±0.38)cm and(2.04±0.33)cm, respectively, away from the ventral median line. Conclusion The position and external diameter of superficial epigastric artery are constant, and the superficial epigastric artery perforator flap is a ideal flap model for research on free flap transplantation, flap supercharging, and hemodynamics.

Key words: Superficial epigastric artery, Perforator flap, Anatomy, Angiography, Rat