[Topographic anatomic study of cells transplanted from the groin region]

Abstract

We performed 25 fresh cadaver dissections to describe the anatomy of the superficial and deep circumflex iliac artery and the superficial inferior epigastric artery how they can be used as donor vessels for the free transfer of groin flaps and for living iliac bone. With the injection of ink the capillary region of these vessels in the bone (iliac crest), the muscle (internal oblique muscle) and skin (groin and thigh) was stained. The superficial and deep circumflex iliac artery are the main supply vessels of the groin and thigh, they can be found in 96% and 100% of the cases. The venous drainage of this region follows from a superficial (superficial circumflex iliac vein) and a deep venous system (Vv. comitantes accompanying the arterial branches). Both venous systems can always be found. The superficial circumflex iliac artery only supplies the skin and is the main donor vessel for skin and soft tissue transplants. The deep circumflex iliac artery supplies the pelvic bone, the internal oblique muscle and a small constant area of skin above the iliac crest. Bone, bone-muscle and bone-muscle and skin transplants can be obtained with this donor vessels. To enlarge the skin area the two arterial branches can be combined in one transplant. With an average vessel diameter of 1.5 mm (superficial circumflex iliac artery) and 3 mm (deep circumflex iliac artery) both vessels can very well be used for microvascular transplantation. These different tissues (muscle, bone, skin) can be obtained in adequate size and form struct composite defects in the upper aerodigestive tract.