Superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap: anatomical study

Introduction. The groin flap was the first local pedicled flap and free flap in plastic surgery. Later, superficial circumflex artery perforator flap replaced this flap. The SCIP flap has begun to be actively studied at the beginning of the 21st century. This study describes and summarizes vascular anatomy of the SCIP flap. Material and methods. Bilateral anatomic study was conducted in 24 cadavers (14 men, 10 women) to lift 47 SCIP flaps between December 2022 and November 2023. In 14 separate cadavers (4 men, 10 women), vascularization area along perforator vessels and superficial circumflex iliac artery was studied. We estimated diameter, length and course of the vessels supplying the SCIP flap, as well as the main zones of their perforation of superficial fascia. Variant anatomy of vessels was studied. Results. SCIA was detected in 43 (91.5%) out of 47 cases. Classical SCIA anatomy with origin from the femoral artery above the deep femoral artery was observed in 36 (83.72%) out of 43 cases. Mean length of SCIA was 9.2 mm (1—23.8 mm), diameter — 1.88 mm (0.75—3.75 mm). Among 14 corpses, the total area of vascularization for both perforator vessels was obtained in 14 cases, for superficial perforator vessel — in 10 cases, for deep perforator vessel — in 11 cases. Conclusion. This study describes vascular anatomy of superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap. A detailed knowledge of flap anatomy facilitates harvesting. We can talk about a large area of vascularization along superficial circumflex iliac artery. We also can harvest chimeric flap with a part of the sartorius muscle.