The real superior gluteal artery perforator flap model in pigs: An anatomical study with applications for translational research.

BACKGROUND

The superior gluteal artery perforator flap is commonly used in the clinic. This cadaveric study was designed to explore the anatomy and harvest of a real pig model with a superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP-p-r) flap.

METHODS

The vascular anatomy and surgical procedures of the SGAP-p-r flap were conducted in ten (n = 10) and five (n = 5), respectively, lard-infused pig cadavers. The primary parameter was the course of the pedicle of the SGAP-p-r flap. A comparison between the SGAP-p-r flap and its human counterpart was made.

RESULTS

The pedicle of the SGAP-p-r flap was consistently present in all 10 samples and penetrated through the intermuscular septum between the gluteus superficialis and the biceps femoris. The source artery of the SGAP-p-r flap is the superior gluteal artery, which has several muscular branches into the gluteus profundus, the gluteus superficialis and the biceps femoris. The SGAP-p-r flap was designed in a circular area with a radius of 3 cm, and the center was 3-4 cm on the head side of the ischial tuberosity. The SGAP-p-r flap can be harvested as a type of chimeric flap containing the gluteus superficialis, and skin. Moreover, a wide range of musculocutaneous flaps based on the gluteus superficialis can be designed based on the SGAP-p-r flap and the SGAP-p-e flap.

CONCLUSION

Both the vascular anatomy and surgical procedures of the SGAP-p-r flap are similar to those of humans. Pigs can serve as a suitable animal model for superior gluteal artery perforator flaps.