The superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA) is a branch of the femoral artery arising just below the inguinal ligament, running laterally toward the ASIS in the superficial fascia of the groin, supplying the groin skin and inguinal lymph nodes. It is the basis of the SCIP (superficial circumflex iliac perforator) flap, the thinnest and most scar-free free flap option for hand, face, and extremity reconstruction.
The SCIP flap based on the SCIA provides extremely thin, pliable skin with minimal subcutaneous fat for resurfacing of the hand dorsum, face, and extremity surfaces where bulkiness is undesirable. The donor scar lies in the inguinal crease and is hidden by underwear. The SCIA calibre (typically 1-2 mm) is smaller than the DIEP pedicle and requires careful microsurgical anastomosis. The flap can be elevated as a pure perforator flap or with a small segment of the inguinal lymph nodes for simultaneous lymph node transfer in lymphoedema treatment.
The SCIP flap based on superficial circumflex iliac artery perforators provides the thinnest available free flap tissue for hand dorsal resurfacing after degloving injury or burn contracture release, with the donor scar hidden in the inguinal crease and the perforator anatomy mapped by CTA before elevation of the islanded skin paddle.
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