THE VARIABILITY OF THE SUPERFICIAL INFERIOR EPIGASTRIC ARTERY (SIEA) AND ITS ANGIOSOME: A CLINICAL ANATOMICAL STUDY

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) is a useful pedicle in supply to the lower abdominal integument, with its use sparing damage to rectus abdominis muscle or sheath. However, it is limited in usefulness due to its anatomical variability. While previous anatomical studies have been limited in number and study design, the use of preoperative imaging has enabled the analysis of this vasculature in large numbers and greater anatomical detail. METHODS: A clinical anatomical study of 500 hemi-abdominal walls in 250 consecutive patients undergoing preoperative computed tomographic angiography (CTA) prior to autologous breast reconstruction was undertaken. The presence, ..