The Importance of Fifth Anterior Intercostal Vessels following Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy.

BACKGROUND

The authors describe the vascular anatomy of the fifth anterior intercostal artery perforator and its role for perfusion of the nipple-areola complex following nipple-sparing mastectomy.

METHODS

Twenty fresh cadavers were injected with 20 cc of colored latex through the internal mammary artery. The catheter was placed at the level of the second intercostal space after removal of the rib. The fifth intercostal space was dissected under magnification to observe the origin and trajectory of the fifth anterior intercostal artery perforator. Six selective computed tomographic angiograms of the fifth intercostal artery perforator were performed. A clinical case of nipple-sparing mastectomy in a woman with mammary hypertrophy is provided to demonstrate the utility of preserving the fifth anterior intercostal artery perforator.

RESULTS

The fifth anterior intercostal artery perforator was consistently observed in all the cases and confirmed by angiography. The perforator gives rise to several branches that traverse in all directions. The ascending branches of the fifth anterior intercostal artery perforator are directed toward the nipple-areola complex and course within the subcutaneous layer between the skin and the parenchyma. The fourth and fifth anterior intercostal artery perforators are independent of one another.

CONCLUSION

The main ascending branch of the fifth anterior intercostal artery perforator reaches the nipple-areola complex by the subcutaneous tissue independently of the Würinger fascia.