Perforator angiosome

BACKGROUND: Perforator flaps of the upper thigh or buttock provide a valuable secondary choice in autologous breast reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to compare the vascular territories and supplying vessels of the transverse myocutaneous gracilis flap, the profunda artery perforator flap, and the fasciocutaneous infragluteal flap. METHODS: In total, 26 lower limbs from 13 fresh specimens were investigated. All flap pedicles were selectively injected with methylene blue, eosin red, or green ink...

Background: There is limited understanding of anatomy of perforator angiosomes, or "perforasomes," of the deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA). A perforasome is defined as the territory perfused by a single perforator vessel of a named artery, such as the DIEA. Given the clinical significance of this anatomical concept in microsurgical breast reconstruction, this study is a quantitative investigation of DIEA perforasome characteristics and patterns associated with perforasome size, perforator caliber, location and branching, using computed tomographic (CT) angiography...

OBJECTIVE: Choke vessels, vascular anastomosis between adjacent angiosome, play an important role in flap expansion and survival. Here we established a flap model with single and multiple perforators to detect and compare the changes in choke vessels, discuss the effect of hemodynamics on the vascular morphology, and explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS: One hundred mice (7-8 weeks) were subjected to a "choke zone" surrounded by 4 perforators on their backs...

BACKGROUND:  The supraclavicular artery flap is an excellent flap for head and neck reconstruction. The aim of this study is to assess imaging techniques to define the precise vascular boundaries of this flap. METHODS:  Six imaging techniques were used for supraclavicular artery mapping in 65 cases; handheld Doppler, triplex ultrasound, computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, digital subtraction angiography, and indocyanine green angiography...

Plastic and reconstructive surgery relies on the knowledge of angiosomes in the raising of microsurgical flaps. Growing interest in muscle-sparing perforator flaps calls for reliable methods to assess the clinical feasibility of new donor sites in anatomical studies. Several injection techniques are known for the evaluation of vascular territories. Indocyanine green-based fluorescence angiography has found wide application in the clinical assessment of tissue perfusion. In this article, the use of indocyanine green-based fluorescence angiography for the assessment of perforasomes in anatomical studies is described for the first time...

BACKGROUND: The angiosome is a three-dimensional block of tissue supplied by a source vessel with its boundary outlined either by an anastomotic perimeter of reduced-caliber choke vessels or by true anastomoses with no reduction of vessel caliber. This article focuses on the role of these anastomotic vessels in defining flap survival or the necrotic pattern seen in fulminating meningococcal septicemia. METHODS: Experiments in pigs, dogs, guinea pigs, and rabbits over the past 46 years were reviewed, focusing on the necrosis line of flaps, the effects of various toxins in vivo, and correlating these results in the clinical setting...

BACKGROUND: Low flap complication rates and excellent aesthetic outcomes are now commonplace in breast reconstruction. As a result, attention is now being focussed on minimising donor site morbidity. Despite its potential donor site advantages, the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap is often discounted, given concerns about the high flap failure rates. In this study, we present our experience of using the SIEA flap in breast reconstruction and provide an algorithm based on pre-operative computed tomography angiography (CTA) to aid pre-operative planning...

The centre ground in the world of flaps have over time, gradually shifted from tubed pedicled, random-pattern, axial-pattern, pedicled, free and currently, to free-styled flaps. These concepts are broadly based on the angiosome-perforasome concept. In this case report, we illustrate how the concept of venosome capture can be transposed onto reverse-flow flaps with the aid of venous supercharging. Moreover, if this is seen from the free-styled flap perspective, it requires supermicrosurgical expertise. This case report hence, serves as a fusion of all the above concepts...

BACKGROUND: Major vessels in the diabetic foot are often calcified and inadequate for use as recipient vessels. Thus, a supermicrosurgery technique using small branches or perforators from other collateral vessels with an adequate pulse may be an alternative method. This study evaluated outcome using the supermicrosurgery concept and the risk factors involved. METHODS: Ninety-five cases of diabetic foot reconstruction were reviewed; the average patient age was 57 years; average follow-up was 43...

BACKGROUND: Fasciocutaneous flaps supplied by discrete perforator arteries can be raised in numerous parts of the human body and are routinely used in plastic surgery. The aim of this anatomical investigation was to provide a description of the vascular supply of the medial upper arm, to localize and measure the perforator arteries and to define potential perforator flap dimensions in pendency of individual anatomical conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 20 upper limbs from 11 fresh cadavers were examined...

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of pretreatment with dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) on the survival of multi-territory perforator flap and the vessels of choke zone (CZ) 2 in rat, and to explore related mechanism. METHODS: Sixty adult SD rats were divided into group DMOG and normal saline group (NS) according to the random number table, with 30 rats in each group. Perforator flap with three angiosomes was made on the right dorsal side of rat, including deep iliac circumflex artery perforator, intercostal artery perforator, thoracodorsal artery perforator, as well as CZ 1 and CZ 2...

Knowledge about perforators and angiosomes has inspired new and innovative flap designs for reconstruction of defects throughout the body. The purpose of this article is to share our experience using color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU)-targeted perforator mapping and angiosome-based flap reconstruction throughout the body. The CDU was used to identify the largest and best-located perforator adjacent to the defect to target the reconstruction. The cutaneous or fasciocutaneous flaps were raised, mobilized, and designed according to the reconstructive needs as rotation, advancement, or turnover flaps...

BACKGROUND: The superior thyroid artery perforator flap has been presented previously in this Journal as a locoregional flap that provides an excellent tissue match with minimal donor morbidity for lateral face and temple defects. In the current study, the authors aimed to describe the microvascular anatomy of this flap. METHODS: The authors used in vivo computer tomographic angiography, cadaveric dissection, and ex vivo angiography in order to improve surgical safety and application of this technique...

"Surgical delay" is aimed at increasing blood flow to adjacent angiosomes by opening choke vessels, to obtain larger and more reliable flaps. We hypothesized that staged elevation (delay) from distal to proximal, in addition to preservation perforator artery near the base will improve survival. Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups and 3x8cm caudal McFarlane flaps were elevated. In "delay" groups the 3 × 4 cm distal part was elevated and sutured back, with complete elevation (3 × 8 cm) after 4 days...

BACKGROUND: The authors analyzed arterial complications in patients undergoing breast reconstruction with superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flaps compared with deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flaps. The variability, caliber, and angiosome of the SIEA are cited as limitations. Experts currently limit SIEA reconstruction to cases with favorable arterial anatomy on preoperative imaging. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, consecutive flaps for breast reconstruction from the initial 7 years of a single microsurgeon's practice (2007 to 2013) were reviewed...

BACKGROUND: Flap viability after transfer depends on blood flow from the arterial blood supply below the fascia. This study evaluated survival of a pedicle flap with a perforator lateral branch and flow-through blood supply, compared with that of a flap with a flow-end blood supply and perforator terminal branch. METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats, 20 in each group, were assigned to transfer of a superficial epigastric artery pedicle island flap with a flow-through or flow-end configuration of blood supply...

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of surgical delay procedure on the survival of perforator flap with three angiosomes in rat, and to explore its possible mechanism. METHODS: The flap model was a perforator flap with three angiosomes which located on the right dorsal side of a rat based on the right deep circumflex iliac vessel. The two connection areas between the three angiosomes were successively named choke zone (CZ) 1 and CZ 2 beginning from the pedicle to the remote area...

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of surgical delay procedure on the survival of perforator flap with three angiosomes in rat, and to explore its possible mechanism. METHODS: The flap model was a perforator flap with three angiosomes which located on the right dorsal side of a rat based on the right deep circumflex iliac vessel. The two connection areas between the three angiosomes were successively named choke zone (CZ) 1 and CZ 2 beginning from the pedicle to the remote area...

BACKGROUND: The medial arm is an optimal potential donor site for treating skin defects around the elbow. However, whether a reliable pedicled perforator flap could be harvested from the medial arm remains unanswered. The purpose of this study was to report the technique and our results using the medial arm pedicled perforator flaps. METHODS: A total of eight flaps in seven patients underwent the medial arm pedicled perforator flaps to treat skin defects around the elbow...

INTRODUCTION: Who and what have been the most influential innovators and innovations in plastic surgery? This historical paper attempts to determine our most important contributors and contributions. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous, 7-question, web-based survey of all members of the American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons (ACAPS) and the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (SESPRS). We asked respondents to list their top 5 most influential surgeons, the most important publications or bodies of work, and the most important innovations in plastic surgery, past and present...