Download PDF
J Reconstr Microsurg 2001; 17(6): 413-416
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-16353
Copyright © 2001 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Lateral Thoracic Artery as a Vascular Variant in the Supply to the Free Serratus Anterior Flap

Joan E. Lipa, David W. Chang
  • Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

ABSTRACT

The authors describe a case in which the dominant blood supply to a subperiosteally-harvested serratus anterior muscle and rib composite myoosseous free flap came from the lateral thoracic artery. There were no other associated features in this patient to warn of the vascular variant. Reconstructive surgeons should be aware of possible variations in the vascular anatomy of this flap.

KEYWORD

Vascular anatomy - vascular variant in dominant blood supply - serratus anterior flap

REFERENCES

  • 1 Strauch B, Yu H L, Chen Z W, Liebling R W. Serratus anterior flap. In: Atlas of Microvascular Surgery: Anatomy and Operative Approaches New York, Thieme 1993
    Google Scholar
  • 2 Cuadros C L, Driscoll C L, Rothkopf D M. The anatomy of the lower serratus anterior muscle: a fresh cadaver study.  Plast Reconstr Surg . 1995;  95 93
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Chang D W, Miller M J. A subperiosteal approach to harvesting the free serratus anterior and rib myo-osseous composite flap.  Plast Reconst Surg (in press). 2001; 
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Goldberg J A, Lineaweaver W C, Buncke H J. An aberrant independent origin of the serratus anterior pedicle.  Ann Plast Surg . 1990;  25 487
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Roswell A R, Davies D M, Eisenberg N, Taylor G I. The anatomy of the subscapular-thoracodorsal arterial system: study of 100 cadaver dissections.  Br J Plast Surg . 1984;  37 574
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 de Fontaine S, Decker G, Goldschmidt D. Anomalous blood supply to the serratus anterior muscle flap.  Br J Plast Surg . 1994;  47 505
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Bruck J C, Bier J, Kistler D. The serratus anterior osteocutaneous free flap.  J Reconstr Microsurg . 1990;  6 209
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Sabri F, Leclercq A, Vanwijck R. Surgical anatomy of the serratus anterior-rib composite flap.  Acta Chir Belg . 1993;  93 271
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Colen L B. Discussion. The anatomy of the lower serratus anterior muscle: a fresh cadaver study.  Plast Reconstr Surg . 1995;  95 98
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Percival N J, Earley M J. Anomalous blood supply to the serratus anterior/rib composite flap.  Br J Plast Surg . 1989;  42 98
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar