fig5

Figure 5. Anatomical dissection of the thin TDAP (thoracodorsal artery perforator) flap. The cadaver was pre-injected with red latex to highlight arterial anatomy. (A) Possible sources of skin perforators in the thoracodorsal region. Posterior intercostal vessels, which are another possible source of skin perforators in this region, are not shown here. (B) The perforator was located anterior to the lateral border of the latissimus dorsi muscle. A thin flap was elevated on this perforator, superficial to the superficial fascia. While the descending branch of the TDA is most commonly the source of the TDAP, proximal tracing of this perforator led to the serratus branch of the TDA. However, adequate pedicle length was still achieved. TDA: Thoracodorsal artery; TB: transverse branch of TDA; DBTD: descending branch of TDA; SAB: serratus anterior branch of TDA; LTA: lateral thoracic artery.