Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
Porcine As a Training Module for Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction
Published on: September 29, 2018
Internal mammary artery perforator flap for head and neck reconstruction
N Gopalakrishna Iyer1, Jonathan R Clark, Bruce G Ashford
1Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute, Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, New South Wales, Australia. gopaliyer@yahoo.com
Background:
The internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) flap is a useful modification of the classic deltopectoral flap that has a number of important roles in head and neck reconstruction.
Methods And Results:
In this report, we describe the technique used to plan and raise the flap and demonstrate its use in three different clinical scenarios.
Results And Conclusions:
The IMAP flap is a pedicled fasciocutaneous flap that is based on single or multiple internal mammary artery perforators. As such, it provides thin pliable tissue with a wide arc of rotation that is suitable for cutaneous, pharyngeal and tracheostomal reconstruction. Moreover, the flap is well-vascularised, reliable and the donor site can be closed primarily.
