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Matching the perforating branch of the internal thoracic artery and the deep inferior epigastric artery for breast reconstruction using multi-detector row computed tomography

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Abstract

Purpose

Matching the diameter of the deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) and perforating branch (PB) of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) is important for arterial anastomosis during breast reconstruction using the DIEA flap. An anatomic investigation of these arteries was performed using multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT).

Patients and methods

Contrast-enhanced MDCT data of 50 women (aged 18–90 years) covering the neck to the groin were analyzed. The diameter of the PBs of the ITA at their origins from the first to the sixth intercostal space and of the DIEA 20 mm from the bifurcation of the external iliac artery were measured.

Results

The mean diameters of the right and left DIEAs were 1.53 ± 0.263 mm and 1.53 ± 0.306 mm, respectively. The diameter of the PBs in the second and third intercoastal spaces was the same as the diameter of the DIEA, bilaterally.

Conclusion

It is suggested that anastomosis of the DIEA with PBs of the ITA in the second and third intercoastal spaces is optimal for DIEA flap grafting. Our results could contribute to making vascular anastomosis easier, thereby reducing the burden on both surgeons and patients.

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Funding

We did not receive any funding for the study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1, Sugao Miyamae-Ku, Kawasaki city, Kanagawa, 216-8511, Japan

    Takayoshi Komemushi, Itsuko Okuda, Yasuo Nakajima & Hidefumi Mimura

  2. Shinsaibashi Cosmetic Surgery, Osaka, Osaka, Japan

    Takayoshi Komemushi

  3. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, International University of Health and Welfare, Mita Hospital, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan

    Itsuko Okuda

  4. Department of Radiology, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi, Osaka, Japan

    Atsushi Komemushi

  5. Department of Plastic Surgery, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan

    Akiyoshi Kajikawa

Authors
  1. Takayoshi Komemushi
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  2. Itsuko Okuda
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  3. Atsushi Komemushi
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  4. Yasuo Nakajima
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  5. Hidefumi Mimura
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  6. Akiyoshi Kajikawa
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Takayoshi Komemushi.

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All authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical statement

This retrospective study was conducted in accordance with the tenets of the amended Declaration of Helsinki and with the approval of the institutional review board of St. Marianna University School of Medicine (No. 2018090424019). Patient anonymity was preserved, and the need for informed consent was waived due to the retrospective nature of the study.

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Cite this article

Komemushi, T., Okuda, I., Komemushi, A. et al. Matching the perforating branch of the internal thoracic artery and the deep inferior epigastric artery for breast reconstruction using multi-detector row computed tomography. Jpn J Radiol 40, 624–629 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-021-01235-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-021-01235-0

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