title: The gracilis myocutaneous free flap: a quantitative analysis of the fasciocutaneous blood supply and implications for autologous breast reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mastectomies are one of the most common surgical procedures in women of the developed world. The gracilis myocutaneous flap is favoured by many reconstructive surgeons due to the donor site profile and speed of dissection. The distal component of the longitudinal skin paddle of the gracilis myocutaneous flap is unreliable. This study quantifies the fasciocutaneous vascular territories of the gracilis flap and offers the potential to reconstruct breasts of all sizes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven human cadaver dissections were performed and injected using lead oxide into the gracilis vascular pedicles, followed by radiographic studies to identify the muscular and fasciocutaneous perforator patterns. The vascular territories and choke zones were characterized quantitatively using the 'Lymphatic Vessel Analysis Protocol' (LVAP) plug-in for Image J® software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a step-wise decrease in the average vessel density from the upper to middle and lower thirds of both the gracilis muscle and the overlying skin paddle with a significantly higher average vessel density in the skin compared to the muscle. The average vessel width was greater in the muscle. Distal to the main pedicle, there were either one (7/27 cases), two (14/27 cases) or three (6/27 cases) minor pedicles. The gracilis angiosome was T-shaped and the maximum cutaneous vascular territory for the main and first minor pedicle was 35 × 19 cm and 34 × 10 cm, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings support the concept that small volume breast reconstructions can be performed on suitable patients, based on septocutaneous perforators from the minor pedicle without the need to harvest any muscle, further reducing donor site morbidity. For large reconstructions, if a 'T' or tri-lobed flap with an extended vertical component is needed, it is important to establish if three territories are present. Flap reliability and size may be optimized following computed tomographic angiography and surgical delay.
authors.affiliation: The Taylor Lab, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Iain S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Whitaker
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karavias
authors.forename: Ramin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shayan
authors.forename: Cara Michelle
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: le Roux
authors.forename: Warren M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Rozen
authors.forename: Russell J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Corlett
authors.forename: G Ian
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Ashton
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D016462:Mammaplasty; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging