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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

A Novel Microsurgical Model for Heterotopic, En Bloc Chest Wall, Thymus, and Heart Transplantation in Mice
Published on: January 23, 2016
[Internal thoracic vessels: importance in microsurgery]
Insights
This study precisely mapped the internal thoracic vessels in 70 cadavers, finding consistent anatomy in the second intercostal space crucial for esophageal revascularization procedures.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Vascular Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
Context:
- Detailed anatomical studies of the internal thoracic vessels are essential for reconstructive surgery.
- Variability in the origin and termination of these vessels necessitates precise mapping for surgical planning.
Purpose:
- To precisely describe the morphometry and symmetry of the internal thoracic arteries and veins.
- To identify consistent anatomical landmarks for surgical applications.
Summary:
- Seventy adult cadavers were dissected to skeletonize and analyze the internal thoracic vessels.
- Measurements of origin, caliber, length, and termination were statistically analyzed.
- High constancy was observed in the second intercostal space, confirmed by angiography.
Impact:
- Provides critical anatomical data for thoracic and vascular surgeons.
- Establishes the anatomical basis for using internal thoracic vessels in esophageal revascularization and free jejunal grafts.
- Enhances surgical planning for complex reconstructive procedures in the upper thorax.
Abstract:
The internal thoracic vessels were studied in seventy adult fresh corpses. The left and right vessels were studied so as to precise symmetry relating to the different characters. After injection of coloured latex, the arteries and veins were skeletonized. The origin, the caliber, the length, the connections with the sternal side, the ending were specified. The origin and the ending of these vessels are variable. A statistical study specifies these measures. In the second intercosal space a great contancy of these vessels was observed which was confirmed by angiography. They are used at this level to revascularize the subcutaneous esophagoplasties. The internal thoracic artery can be skeletonized by a right thoracotomy and allowed to revascularize a free jejunal graft for reconstruction of the upper thoracic esophagus.
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