title: [Microvascular structure of the transmidline scapular flap].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the microvascular structure of the transmidline scapular flap pedicled with the unilateral circumflex scapular artery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Latex and ink mixture was injected into the unilateral circumflex scapular artery of 6 fresh cadavers. The transmidline scapular flap was dissected and the pellucid specimen was made. The artery perforators were traced to their underlying parent vessels that accompanied the segmental arteries. A series of cross-sectional studies were undertaken in one subject to illustrate the course of the perforators in the tissues of different depth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In deep and superficial fascia, the subdermal and dermis layer, rich microvascular connection was found which showed in three patterns: the vascular arch, communicating branches, and the arterial rate. They interrelated to form a three-dimensional framework. The vascular tree not only passed the midline but also reached the contralateral acromion. The densest vessels were exhibited at the injection side of the back. In the midline area the vessels were in less density and at the contralateral side, the vessels mainly concentrated in the upper part of the back.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The result evidenced the vascular pattern and the applicable safety of the transmidline scapular flap. In elevating a transmidline scapular flap, the distal part should mainly locate at the upper part of the back.
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Hospital, Beijing 100041, China.
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Huo
authors.forename: Senkai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yangqun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Mingyong
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Weiqing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012540:Scapula / Q000098:blood supply*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*