[Anatomic study of the location of the thoracoacromial pedicle. Application to the pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap].
OBJECTIVE
The thoracoacromial pedicle is the major pedicle of the pectoralis major flap which is still frequently used in cervicofacial loss of substances reconstruction. The classical landmark of this pedicle is the intersection between the acromioxyphoid line and the medioclavicular line. The aim of this study was to determine the exact location of the pedicle compared to the classical landmark in case of narrow pectoralis major flap.


METHODS
Twenty-one pectoralis major pedicles have been dissected from 12 fresh cadavers. For each dissection have been determined: the medial or lateral situation of the pedicle compared to the intersection of the medioclavicular line and the acromioxyphoid line and the distance between these two points, the angle between the real axis of the pedicle and the acromioxyphoid line.


RESULTS
The pedicle was lateral to the acromioxyphoid line in 19 cases, in close contact to the lateral border of the muscle.


CONCLUSIONS
A narrow pectoralis major flap has to be harvested between the acromioxyphoid line and the lateral border of the pectoralis major.
Ben Hadj Yahia
S
S
Service d'ORL et de chirurgie cervicofaciale, Fondation Adolphe-de-Rothschild, Paris, France.
Vacher
C
C
Guédon
C
C
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000886:Anthropometry; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D013895:Thoracic Arteries; D013909:Thorax / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply