Preoperative Angio-CT Preliminary Study of the TRAM Flap After Selective Vascular Delay

The use of multislice CT angiography preoperative study for supraclavicular artery island flap harvesting

BACKGROUND

The vascular anatomy of the supraclavicular artery island (SAI) flap has been investigated using both cadaveric anatomic dissections and angiographic studies. Accurate preoperative evaluation and localization of its vascular pedicle confirms its location, course, anatomic variation, and improves flap success. The objective of this report is to demonstrate the utility of multislice computed tomography (CT) angiography for confirming the presence of the vascular pedicle of the SAI flap when planning head and neck reconstruction.

METHODS

Patients were studied using 64-multislice CT angiography (CTA) to localize the supraclavicular artery, including its origin and destination. Axial images, multiplanar reconstructions, and 3D volume-rendered images were analyzed on a Philips workstation. Radiologic image findings and clinical experience will be described.

RESULTS

SAI CT angiography was successfully performed in 15 patients (30 shoulders) ranging from ages 22 to 81 years. Accurate identification of the main vascular pedicle was achieved in 14/15 patients. Location, course, pedicle length, and anatomic variations were reported for 23 of 30 arteries. Mean vessel diameter was found to be 1.49 mm (range, 0.8-2.0 mm) on the right and 1.51 mm (range, 1.0-2.1 mm) on the left. The mean length of the artery was 38.3 mm on the right (range, 26.6-59.6 mm) and 38.4 mm on the left (range, 24.3-67.0 mm). In all patients, the supraclavicular artery originated off the transverse cervical artery-a branch of the thyrocervical trunk. Positioning of the patient's upper extremities at the side was helpful in the identification of the supraclavicular artery and its distribution. Contrast injection site should be contralateral to the side needed for the flap if sidedness is of importance, secondary to contrast bolus artifact.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative evaluation of the SAI flap with multislice computed tomography angiography is feasible in patients. A radiologic study protocol has been developed which improves the ability to detect this vessel. This technique provides a noninvasive approach to the identification of the vascular anatomy and is easily standardized/reproducible. The identification of the vascular pedicle and its anatomy can be a benefit to the surgical team during preoperative design of the SAI flap; however, clinical experience confirming these radiologic findings will be needed to optimize surgical outcome.

Computed tomographic angiography: clinical applications

There has been a move towards increasingly refined techniques for autologous breast reconstruction, and given the substantial inter-individual variability of perforator anatomy, the need for reliable, accurate methods of vascular imaging has been sought. Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) can offer a range of applications in autologous breast reconstruction to aid surgical planning and improved outcomes. This article explores the utility of CTA in imaging perforators, pedicles and recipient vessels across a wide range of flap types and donor sites. CTA has a range of clinical applications in autologous breast reconstruction, and can aid operative planning and improve outcomes.

Reversed gracilis pedicle flap for coverage of a total knee prosthesis

BACKGROUND

Poor wound-healing and skin necrosis are potentially devastating complications after total knee arthroplasty. Primary soft-tissue coverage with a medial or lateral gastrocnemius transposition flap is typically the first choice for reconstruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a distally based secondary-pedicle flap of the gracilis muscle for reconstruction of a soft-tissue defect.

METHODS

The characteristics of the distally based (secondary) pedicles of the gracilis muscle were studied with use of dissection (ten cadavers) and computed tomographic angiograms (fifty patients). On the basis of the anatomical features, an extended reversed gracilis flap based on the secondary pedicles was used in three patients with severe soft-tissue complications of total knee arthroplasty.

RESULTS

The mean number of secondary pedicles was 1.8 (range, one to four). The pedicles originated from the superficial femoral or popliteal artery. The most proximal pedicle was often the largest (mean caliber, 2.0 mm), and its point of entry into the gracilis muscle was an average (and standard deviation) of 21 +/- 3.6 cm (range, 16 to 28 cm) from the ischiopubic branch. A significant positive association (p = 0.001; r(2) = 0.49) was found between the caliber of the proximal secondary pedicle and the number of other secondary pedicles. In all three patients, the adequate caliber of the secondary pedicles (as shown on preoperative computed tomographic angiograms) and good muscle vascularization confirmed the utility of the gracilis as a distally based pedicle flap.

CONCLUSIONS

For the treatment of large soft-tissue defects of the patella or the proximal part of the knee, or for soft-tissue reconstruction over an exposed total knee prosthesis, the reversed gracilis pedicle flap may be an alternative to, or may be integrated with, a lateral or medial gastrocnemius flap.

Clinical study of peroneal artery perforators with computed tomographic angiography: implications for fibular flap harvest

PURPOSE

Previous studies of cutaneous perforators of the peroneal artery have shown great variability, and attest to the significant anatomical variability in this region. Furthermore, the vascular anatomy of the region has been considered unreliable in the prediction of ideal perforator topography. Preoperative imaging has been suggested as a means for improving preoperative awareness, with Doppler ultrasound and eco-colour (duplex) ultrasound as useful tools. Multi-detector row computed tomographic angiography (CTA or angio CT), has emerged as a significant improvement, providing non-invasive operator-independent details of the vascular anatomy. We utilised this tool to perform an in vivo, anatomical study of the peroneal artery perforators, and demonstrating the usefulness of CTA in planning the osteocutaneous free fibula flap.

METHODS

Forty-one consecutive patients (82 limbs) underwent CTA of the lower limb vasculature, with the anatomical details of the peroneal artery cutaneous perforators assessed.

RESULTS

CTA was able to demonstrate the size, course and penetration pattern of all perforators over 0.3 mm in diameter, with measurements for perforators over 0.8 mm diameter recorded for analysis. Of 171 such perforators, accurate identification of the size (mean diameter 1.91 mm), course (59.6% septocutaneous, 29.2% musculocutaneous and 11.1% septomusculocutaneous) and location was achieved.

CONCLUSION

The vascular anatomy of peroneal artery perforators is highly variable, and thus there is a role for preoperative imaging. CTA can demonstrate cases where there is aberrant or non-preferred anatomy, or select the limb of choice for harvest.

Angio computed tomography preoperative evaluation for anterolateral thigh flap harvesting

The vascular anatomy of the anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) has many possible variations, and none of the currently used mapping techniques (eg, Echo Color Doppler) gives a thorough knowledge of all details. Among the last generation of angiographic diagnostic techniques, multi detector computed tomography, popularly known as Angio CT, has emerged as an outstanding noninvasive operator independent option, and has been described for deep inferior epigastric perforator and pedicled transverse rectus abdominis muscle planning. This study was conducted to evaluate its usefulness prior to ALTF harvesting.Nine consecutive patients were considered for oral or lower extremity reconstruction with the ALTF. After written informed consent was obtained from all patients, a preoperative Angio-CT study was performed for surgical planning. Accurate identification of septocutaneous or musculocutaneous perforator vessels was achieved and their location, course, and anatomic variations were reported and influenced surgery. Angio CT allows a complete vascular study of the donor area of the ALTF and evaluation of the best perforator vessels before surgery allows surgeons to get an ideal planning of the flap. This imaging method is currently proposed to every patient undergoing ALT flap reconstruction.