A MICROVASCULAR PERITONEAL FLAP BASED ON THE DEEP CIRCUMFLEX ILIAC ARTERY - AN ANATOMIC STUDY

Reconstructive surgery following tumor resection or trauma to the orom andibular areas requires one-stage, reliable, functional, and cosmetic results with a low donor site morbidity. In the past 2 decades free v as cularized osteocutaneous flaps using the scapular, radial forearm, fibular, and groin flap have shown their advantages [2]. Only recently has the peritoneum been considered part of a vascularized flap to ass ure primary healing by mucosal defects [1, 3-5]. To show a constant va scular pattern of the deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA), 17 dissecti ons on fresh cadavers were performed. The visualization was obtained b y blue dye coloration, contrast medium angiography, and intravascular silicone latex injections. The results confirmed that the osteocutaneo us part of the composite groin flap is constantly supplied by the main branch and the internal oblique transverse muscle, including peritone um (approximately 8x10 cm), mainly by the ascending branch of the DCIA .