Surgical anatomy of the internal oblique muscle: a practical approach.

In recent years pedicled and microvascular free muscle flaps, myocutaneous flaps, and vascularized bone grafts have become well accepted reconstructive techniques in the management of complex defects. The deep circumflex iliac artery-based internal oblique muscle pedicle flap, internal oblique free muscle pedicle flap, internal oblique free muscle flap, and the internal oblique-iliac crest microvascular free flap are the latest additions to the reconstructive surgeons' armamentarium. This report describes the surgical anatomy of the internal oblique muscle and the deep circumflex iliac artery from a practical viewpoint with particular emphasis on the vascular basis of the above mentioned flaps.