The inframammary island flap: anatomical basis

The contribution of the thoracic internal artery to the breast's blood supply was studied in 24 fresh breasts. The second perforating artery was the largest in 20 breasts (86.3%). This artery supplies the upper portion of the breast, the nipple-areolar complex, and the subjacent anteromedial region. On the basis of these anatomical findings, we propose a new cutaneous island flap raised from the redundant skin that is normally discarded in reduction mammoplasty. The use of this flap is indicated in breast and thoracic wall reconstruction. A clinical case of such reconstruction is reported.