The thoracodorsal artery (from the subscapular artery) divides into two main branches after giving the serratus anterior branch: the descending branch (running along the lateral border of the latissimus dorsi supplying its lateral edge) and the transverse branch (running horizontally near the muscle's inferior border). These branches are the basis of muscle-sparing latissimus dorsi flap design, allowing harvest of specific muscle segments rather than the entire muscle.
Thoracodorsal artery branch anatomy dictates muscle-sparing LD flap design: the descending branch supplies the lateral LD strip used in a partial LD flap preserving medial and superior muscle for scapular winging prevention; the transverse branch supplies the inferior muscle used in intercostal nerve-sparing extended LD flap variations. Pre-operative CT angiography maps the branch point and the dominant perforators arising from each branch. In thoracodorsal artery perforator (TAP) flap, perforators from the descending or transverse branches supply skin without sacrificing any muscle.
Preserving the transverse branch of the thoracodorsal artery while harvesting the descending branch territory allows a muscle-sparing LD flap that maintains the medial and superior LD for scapular stabilisation while providing adequate muscle volume for breast reconstruction; pre-operative CTA confirms the branch anatomy before surgery.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
