Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632649
The deep pectoral muscle flap in the cat: its vascular supply and potential use
The authors wish to thank John Grandage for his comments and John Fuller for providing the illustrations. One of the authors (SJB) was in receipt of a Wellcome Trust Research Scholarship.Publication History
Received
06 October 1999
Accepted
09 February 2000
Publication Date:
09 February 2018 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/10.1055-s-00035023/200003/lookinside/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0038-1632649-1.jpg)
Summary
The vascular anatomy of the deep pectoral muscle in the cat was defined by contrast radiography of twelve deep pectoral muscles from six feline cadavers. The deep pectoral, muscle in the cat was found to have a type V vascular pattern with a dominant pedicle based on the lateral thoracic artery, with a contribution from the external thoracic artery, and secondary segmental pedicles arising from the internal thoracic artery, with numerous anastomoses between these two vascular fields. Following division of the sternal origin and elevation of the muscle flap, perfusion of the entire muscle from the dominant pedicle was identified. Transposition of the muscle flap within a wide arc of rotation was possible to include the chest wall, sternum, axilla and medial forelimb. This study demonstrates the potential suitability of the deep pectoral muscle flap for use in reconstructive surgery.
The feline deep pectoral muscle has a type V vascular pattern, with a dominant pedicle based on the lateral thoracic artery, with a contribution from the external thoracic artery, and secondary segmental pedicles arising from the internal thoracic artery A clinically useful flap, supplied by the dominant pedicle, may be developed by incising the sternal origin of the muscle.
-
REFERENCES
- 1 Hardie EM, Kolata RJ, Earley TD, Rawlings CA, Gorgacz EJ. Evaluation of internal obturator muscle transposition in treatment of perineal hernia in dogs. Vet Surg 1983; 12: 60-72.
- 2 Alexander LG, Pavletic MM, Engler SJ. Abdominal wall reconstruction with a vascular external abdominal oblique myofascial flap. Vet Surg 1991; 20: 379-84.
- 3 Richards RR, Orsini EC, Mahoney JL, Verscheuren R. The influence of muscle flap coverage on the repair of devascularized tibial cortex: An experimental investigation in the dog. Plast Reconstr Surg 1987; 79: 946-56.
- 4 Chambers JN, Purinton PT, Allen SW, Schneider TA, Smith JD. Flexor carpi ulnaris (humeral head) muscle flap for reconstruction of distal forelimb injuries in two dogs. Vet Surg 1998; 27: 342-7.
- 5 Bennett D, Vaughan LC. The use of muscle relocation techniques in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries in dogs and cats. J Small Anim Pract 1976; 17: 99-108.
- 6 Mathes SJ, Nahai F. Clinical atlas of muscle and musculocutaneous flaps. St Louis: CV Mosby Co; 1979: 1-7.
- 7 Mathes SJ, Nahai F. Classification of the vascular anatomy of muscles: experimental and clinical correlation. Plast Reconstr Surg 1981; 67: 177-87.
- 8 Purinton PT, Chambers JN, Moore JL. Identification and categorization of the vascular patterns to muscles of the thoracic limb, thorax and neck of dogs. Am J Vet Res 1992; 53: 1435-45.
- 9 Taylor GI, Minade T. The angiosomes of the mammals and other vertebrates. Plast Reconstr Surg 1992; 89: 181-214.
- 10 Taylor GI, Palmer JH. The vascular territories (angiosomes) of the body: Experimental study and clinical applications. Brit J Plast Surg 1987; 40: 113-41.
- 11 Nickel R, Schummer A, Seiferle E, Frewein J, Wilkens H, Wille K-H. The locomotor system of the domestic mammals. Berlin: Verlag Paul Parey; 1986: 333-46.
- 12 Crouch JE. Text atlas of cat anatomy. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1969: 72-6.
- 13 Hudson LC, Hamilton WP. Atlas of feline anatomy for veterinarians. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co; 1993: 58-61.
- 14 Philibert D, Fowler JD. Use of muscle flaps in reconstructive surgery. Comp Contin Educ Pract Vet 1996; 18: 395-404.
- 15 Ocal MK, Mutus R, Alpak H. Classification of the vascular patterns of the thoracic limb muscles of cats. Ann Anat 1996; 178: 83-9.
- 16 Tobin GR. Pectoralis major muscle-musculocutaneous flap for chest-wall reconstruction. Surgical Clinics of North America 1989; 69: 991-1006.
- 17 Philibert D, Fowler JD, Clapson JB. The anatomic basis for a trapezius muscle flap in dogs. Vet Surg 1992; 21: 429-34.
- 18 Freeman JL, Walker EP, Wilson JSP, Shaw HJ. The vascular anatomy of the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. Br J Plast Surg 1981; 34: 3-10.