Defining Vascular Supply and Territory of Thinned Perforator Flaps: Part II. Superior Gluteal Artery Perforator Flap

Abstract

The superior gluteal artery perforator flap provides an excellent blood supply to adipose tissue but may be compromised when aggressively thinned. Surgeons may design and harvest partially thinned superior gluteal artery perforator flaps based on the anatomical vascular territory maps provided by this study.

A Study of the Course, Branching Pattern and Dimensions of the Superior and Inferior Glutealarteries

“…In a majority of cadavers, the SG had a normal course and is similar to previous reports in Caucasian [8] and Thai populations. However, variations were seen in the SG, wherein one cadaver (1.61%) it provided origin to the OA, while in another cadaver (1.61%), the SG and IG originated as a common trunk along with the LS.…”

“…The mean external diameter of SG was 1.26 ± 0.22 mm on the left side and 1.28 ± 0.21 mm on the right side. The length of the SG in this study is comparable to previous values in Caucasian 8 populations where the reported lengths were 5.7-6.6 cm , 3.99-4.01 cm 9 and 4.09-4.67 cm . However, they were not comparable to a Thai population of 6.44-7.33 cm.…”

The Microvascular Anatomy of Superior and Inferior Gluteal Artery Perforator (SGAP and IGAP) Flaps: A Fresh Cadaveric Study and Clinical Implications

“…They showed that although the SGAPs supplied the upper gluteal region and the IGAPs the lower gluteal region, the central portion was a variable region, with dominance of either the SGA or the IGA dictating the source pedicle for perforators in this region. [19,[21][22][23], whereas the average number of inferior gluteal perforators varies from 8 to 9 [19,21].…”

Circumferential Contouring of the Lower Trunk: Indications, Operative Techniques, and Outcomes—A Systematic Review

“…A gluteal augmentation flap [14], supplied by perforators from the superior gluteal artery, lateral sacral arteries, and lumbar artery [14,20,33], can be added to correct insufficient buttock projection. Colwell [36] showed that major perforators are generally situated 6-9 cm from the midline, whereas Nojima [63] placed them 10-12 cm from the midline. Despite the effect on gluteal projection, these techniques may actually increase the complication rate [43].…”