Anatomic study of the superficial perineal neurovascular pedicle: implications in vulvoperineal flap design.

Thirty superficial perineal neurovascular pedicles from 15 formaldehyde-fixed female cadavers were dissected and analyzed with the purpose of establishing the anatomic basis for the design and elevation of vulvoperineal fasciocutaneous flaps based on their anatomic elements. The average internal diameter of the superficial perineal artery was 0.53 +/- 0.2 mm, determined by means of an image analysis system. Three distinct anatomic patterns of cutaneous arterial vascularization were seen bilaterally, and two types of vulvoperineal fasciocutaneous flaps are described.