Our findings suggest that SIEV diameter is not an indicator of superficial epigastric venous dominance and therefore is not predictive of venous congestion nor of its use in increasing venous outflow. This contradicts previously held assumptions that larger caliber SIEVs were indicative of a dominant superficial venous system and more likely to result in their use as an alternate route for venous outflow. Our findings suggest that the SIEV should be prophylactically dissected and harvested in raising every DIEP flap, regardless of its caliber.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.