AN ANATOMICAL VARIATION OF THE THORACODORSAL ARTERY WITH COMMENTS ON FLAPS BASED ON THE AXILLARY ARTERY

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.