The microcirculatory pattern of the transverse-abdominal flap: a cross-sectional xerographic and CAT scanning study

Following unilateral iliac artery injection of radiopaque Microfil in cadavers, coronal sections of the anterior abdominal wall at 1-cm intervals were obtained employing computerized axial tomography of the intact specimen as well as xerography of frozen slices. Because they avoid the distortion and disruption of the vasculature induced by anatomical dissection, these studies clearly indicate that the arterial supply to zones 3 and 4 of the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap is derived through the following systems: the subdermal plexus, and the superficial subcutaneous tissue crossover system. This study substantiates previous anatomical assumptions.