title: Aberrant perfusion of the serratus anterior muscle flap: report of two cases and a review of the literature.
abstract: Free serratus anterior muscle flap, classified as Mathes-Nahai type III, is a versatile and frequently preferred choice for soft tissue coverage of small to moderate-sized defects owing to its reliable circulation pattern; however, some anatomic variations in the flap vascularity can result in partial flap loss. Here we present two cases with free serratus anterior muscle transfer where the distalmost portion of the flap was not perfused by the thoracodorsal pedicle. The most likely explanation seems to be the large flap size and the lack of distal interconnections between lateral thoracic artery and thoracodorsal artery branches. Our clinical experience suggests that anatomic variations of serratus anterior muscle circulation might end up with distal perfusion loss if a large flap is to be harvested.
authors.affiliation: Marmara University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tophanelioğlu Caddesi, 13/15, Altunizade, Uskudar, 34660, Istanbul, Turkey. bubu77@gmail.com
authors.forename: Burak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ersoy
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sönmez
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bayramiçli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D013895:Thoracic Arteries; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000601:surgery*