The effect of anterior abdominal wall scars on the vascular anatomy of the abdominal wall: A cadaveric and clinical study with clinical implications

Abstract

The anterior abdominal wall integument is frequently used in a range of reconstructive flaps. These tissues are supplied by the deep and superficial inferior epigastric arteries (DIEA and SIEAs) and the deep and superficial superior epigastric arteries (DSEA and SSEAs). Previous abdominal wall surgery alters this vascular anatomy and may influence flap design. One hundred and sixty-eight patients underwent abdominal wall computed tomographic angiography (CTA) for preoperative imaging. Fifty-eight of these patients had undergone previous abdominal surgery, and were assessed for scar pattern and relationship to the course and distribution of all major axial vessels and perforators. Two cadaver..