An anatomical study with clinical application of one branch of the supraclavicular artery

Abstract

The supraclavicular flap is an important method for the reconstruction of the neck. In this study, the authors attempted to clarify the mechanism of blood flow into the supraclavicular flap based on the thoracic branch of the supraclavicular artery. Additionally, the authors discuss the clinical application of such anatomy. Thirty fresh cadavers and 13 preserved cadavers were dissected to observe the anatomic features of the pectorally extended supraclavicular flap. Additionally, 46 clinical cases were treated with such a flap. We identified two branches of the supraclavicular artery. A deltoid branch that extended to the acromial region and a thoracic branch that traveled to the anterior thoracic region. Using these data, all such flaps operated by us have to date, survived with satisfactory results. The pectorally extended supraclavicular flap could be used to repair defects on the ipsilateral or contralateral face, neck, and anterior thorax.

The infraclavicular pedicled flap in head and neck reconstruction: applications and outcomes

“…3 The perforator originates deep to the platysma, before crossing it to become superficial to the inferior prolongation of the platysma, known as the pectoral fascia. 3,5,8,9 2.3 | Flap harvest All the ICPFs were raised according the technical description published by Yoo et al in 2015 and2016. It descends inferolaterally and follows a direction parallel to the deltopectoral groove.…”

“…1,3 While some groups have shown interest in the tissue in the infraclavicular region for reconstructive purposes, very few applications of infraclavicular flaps appear in the literature. 1,5,6 To date, there have been no studies evaluating the postoperative results of patients who have had a fasciocutaneous pedicled flap entirely harvested inferiorly to the clavicle. 4 These authors described the surgical technique for harvesting the infraclavicular pedicled flap (ICPF).…”

The Supraclavicular Artery Island Flap in Head and Neck Reconstruction

“…These studies show 2 veins draining the flap: one running adjacent to the artery draining into the transverse cervical vein, and the other draining into the external jugular vein. 8,11,22,23 The mean diameter of the artery ranges from 1.0 to 1.5 mm. 8,11,22 If one uses surface anatomy, the takeoff of the artery is located in the triangle formed by the dorsal edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the external jugular vein, and the medial portion of the clavicle 8 ( Figure 1).…”

Pedicled adipofascial infraclavicular flap: Elevation technique and its use for maintaining neck contour and vessel coverage after radical and modified radical neck dissection

“…To date, there is no consensus regarding the correct nomenclature for this vessel. Some investigators termed it the anterior supraclavicular artery perforator, whereas others have named it the “thoracal branch,” “cervico‐pectoral branch,” or the “anterior supraclavicular vessel.” For consistency and clarity, we have used the term “anterior perforator” and the term “infraclavicular flap” to distinguish it from “supraclavicular” flaps harvested from areas above the clavicle based on the supraclavicular artery.…”