Perforating branches of the internal thoracic artery in women with breast cancer: an anatomical study for breast-conservation surgery.

Breast reconstruction after breast-conservation surgery is an important issue for breast cancer patients. Various factors are associated with complications, of which blood flow is one of the more important. The perforating branches of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) are key contributors to blood flow in the anterior chest wall. The present study examined the distributions and depths of the perforating branches of the internal thoracic artery using a multi-detector row-computed tomography (MDCT) angiography. The subjects in this prospective study comprised of 38 women with suspected breast cancer who underwent MDCT angiography. The images were analyzed on computer using transverse MDCT source data and volume renderings. A total of 47 perforating branches were found, with 27 (57.4%) originating in the second, 6 (12.8%) in the third and fourth, 5 (10.6%) in the first and 2 branches (4.3%) originating in the fifth intercostal space, with one branch (2.1%) originating opposite the first intercostal space. A strong correlation was identified between the distance from the skin to the branch and adipose thickness at the shallowest and deepest points (P<0.001). The distributions and depths of the perforating branches of ITA identified in this study may be helpful in immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery.