An anatomical study of the superficial inferior epigastric vessels in humans.

The lower abdominal skin and fat has become a standard for breast reconstruction in terms of skin texture, suppleness and colour. Concerns regarding donor site morbidity related to the harvest of rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap, based on the deep inferior epigastric vessels, have turned attention towards alternative options. The superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap is a fasciocutaneous flap that has been used for reconstruction of the breast, as well as head, neck and limb defects. In Taylor's classic dissection series the SIEA was 'absent' in 35% [Plast Reconstr Surg 56 (1975) 243]. In our series of 22 cadaver dissections (eight female, three male) the SIEA was identified in 20 and the vein (SIEV) in 21. In 15, the artery was located at the level of the inguinal ligament, within 1 cm of its midpoint. In 17, the origin, from the common femoral artery, was within 2 cm of the inguinal ligament. In 18, the SIEA arose as a common trunk with the superficial circumflex iliac artery, superficial external pudendal artery, and/or the deep circumflex iliac artery. Mean SIEA calibre was 1.9 mm and the mean pedicle length from origin to inguinal ligament was 5.2 cm. Our findings suggest that the SIEA is more consistently present and larger in calibre than previously reported, and consequently may be of greater clinical use than previously believed.