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Deep Circumflex Iliac Artery

arteria circumflexa ilium profunda

The deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) arises from the lateral aspect of the external iliac artery just above the inguinal ligament, running laterally along the inguinal ligament to reach the ASIS and then along the inner lip of the iliac crest to the PSIS. It supplies the iliacus, the iliac crest bone, and the overlying soft tissue with skin perforators ascending through the transversus abdominis and internal oblique.

Region: Pelvis & Hip

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The DCIA is the pedicle for the deep circumflex iliac artery free flap (DCIA flap, iliac crest free bone flap), which provides vascularised bone from the iliac crest for mandible and maxilla reconstruction after cancer ablation. The bone is harvested from the iliac crest on its inner cortex with the attached DCIA pedicle, providing 10-14 cm of curved bone that matches the mandibular arch. The ascending branch of the DCIA supplies a skin paddle for composite osteocutaneous reconstruction. The primary morbidity is iliac crest donor site pain and the risk of hernia from inner table harvest.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

DCIA Flap for Mandible Reconstruction

The deep circumflex iliac artery provides the vascular pedicle for the iliac crest free flap, harvesting bicortical iliac bone with its inner periosteum supplied by the DCIA to reconstruct segmental mandibular defects; the curved natural anatomy of the iliac crest matches the mandibular body without multiple osteotomies for straight defects.