Background: Due to the lack of knowledge about parasacral artery perforators, flaps from this region cannot be used with complete confidence in their security and effectiveness. Knowledge of the clusters and perforasome of these perforators could help in the design of more reliable flaps and extend the range of applications.
Objectives: This study aimed to identify the location, number, and density of perforators, and to subsequently analyze the perfusion flow and linking vessel distribution.
Methods: Five fresh cadavers were harvested and dissected. For the mapping, after injecting lateral sacral arteries with colored latex, perforators with a diameter of >0.5 cm were examined in 5 sacral regions. All data were collected on the suprafascial plane, with an orthonormal coordinate system placed on iliac crests and median lines. For perforasome analysis, 5 perforators and 3 three sacral flaps were injected with radiopaque dye. A dynamic (4-dimensional) computed tomographic angiography completed the analysis.
Results: A mean [standard deviation] of 8.4 [1.36] perforators per corpse, with a mean diameter of 0.72 [0.14] mm, were identified. There was a higher density of parasacral perforators close to the median line and 7.6 cm above the iliac crests. This pattern was not a random distribution (P < 0.05). The perfusion area was preferentially in the superior gluteal region. Perfusion flow was permitted by the dominant direct-linking vessels towards adjacent lumbar perforators, oriented diagonally upward and outward to the midline.
Conclusions: Parasacral perforator flaps appear to be a useful procedure in reconstruction and in aesthetic surgery, especially in gluteal augmentation. Their reliability depends on sound anatomic knowledge, with accurate preoperative perforator mapping.
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