T. Maral et al., AN ANATOMICAL VARIATION OF THE THORACODORSAL ARTERY WITH COMMENTS ON FLAPS BASED ON THE AXILLARY ARTERY, European journal of plastic surgery, 16(4-5), 1993, pp. 231-233
A rare variation of the axillary artery is presented. On routine anato
mical dissection in one male cadaver the thoracodorsal artery was foun
d to originate from the acromiothoracic artery independently from the
circumflex scapular artery. Numerous flaps based on the branches of th
e axillary artery have been described. As a result of this case, and a
review of the literature to gain further knowledge of anatomical vari
ations, it is advised that preoperative angiography is indicated prior
to utilizing flaps from this area.