Authors : Philippe Manyacka Ma Nyemb, Xavier Demondion, Christian Fontaine, Abdourahmane Ndong
DOI : 10.18231/j.ijcap.2020.037
Volume : 7
Issue : 2
Year : 2020
Page No : 182-187
Introduction: Surgery that incorporates perforator flaps has developed rapidly in recent years. However,
this type of surgery is hindered by anatomical variations in the location of the perforating arteries. These
anatomical variations require preoperative imaging to plan the surgery properly. Through a Doppler
ultrasound study of living subjects, the authors aim to map the perforators of the trapezius muscle.
Materials and Methods: Doppler color ultrasound was carried out in 22 healthy volunteers over the
integuments covering the trapezius muscle. Using bone landmarks (spinous process line, inferior angle and
spine of the scapula), all the identified perforators were inventoried based on their location, dimensions and
direction.
Results: Fourteen women and eight men were included in the study. Their mean age was 25.8 years and
their mean height was 1.74 meters. The average number of perforators found on each side of the spinous
process line was 10.64. The mean diameter of these perforators was 0.82 millimeters.
Conclusion: Preoperative Doppler ultrasound is useful for surgeons using trapezius perforator flaps, as it
can accurately specify the location, diameter, trajectory of a perforator, and in a more general manner, its
reliability.
Keywords: Preoperative Doppler ultrasonography, Trapezius muscle, Perforator flaps, Anatomical variations.