Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The external oblique muscle free flap

R Kuzbari1, A Worseg, G Burggasser

  • 1Department of Plastic Surgery, Wilhelminen Hospital, Vienna, Austria.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|April 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary

The external oblique muscle, previously thought to have only segmental blood supply, can now be used as a free flap. This is due to significant contributions from the deep circumflex iliac artery, enabling new surgical applications.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Sonographic Anatomy or How Diagnostic Ultrasound is Becoming a Therapeutic Tool.

Ultraschall in der Medizin (Stuttgart, Germany : 1980)·2025
Same author

Noninvasive CSF shunt patency evaluation by superb microvascular imaging.

Neurosurgical review·2023
Same author

Impact of (forensic) expert opinions according to the Istanbul Protocol in Germany-results and insights of the in:Fo-project-reply to commentary of C. Cattaneo and L. Franceschetti.

International journal of legal medicine·2023
Same author

Impact of (forensic) expert opinions according to the Istanbul Protocol in Germany-results and insights of the in:Fo-project.

International journal of legal medicine·2023
Same author

Aspiration-related pneumonia after Taser exposure - A multiple causations mechanism.

Forensic science international·2021
Same author

[Current guidance of the German Society of Rheumatology for the care of patients with rheumatic diseases during the SARS-CoV-2/Covid 19 pandemic].

Zeitschrift fur Rheumatologie·2020

Area of Science:

  • Anatomy
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Microsurgery

Background:

  • The external oblique muscle was traditionally used surgically only as a pedicled flap due to its presumed segmental vascular supply.
  • Understanding its detailed vascular and nerve supply is crucial for expanding its reconstructive potential.

Observation:

  • Arterial injection studies and nerve dissections were performed on 35 human cadavers.
  • The deep circumflex iliac artery was found to significantly supply the external oblique muscle in most specimens.
  • Lateral cutaneous branches of intercostal nerves provided a segmental nerve supply.

Findings:

  • The external oblique muscle receives substantial blood supply from the deep circumflex iliac artery, in addition to segmental arteries.
  • A consistent segmental nerve supply pattern was identified.

Related Experiment Videos

  • These anatomical insights facilitated successful free flap transplantation using the deep circumflex iliac vessels.

    • Implications:

    • The external oblique muscle can be reliably transplanted as a free flap, offering a thin, pliable option for reconstruction.
    • The flap has a long vascular pedicle suitable for microvascular anastomosis and can be combined with bone or skin grafts.
    • Its multiple nerve supply suggests potential for functional reconstruction at recipient sites.