Superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap's imaging, anatomy and clinical applications in oral maxillofacial reconstruction

Purpose To assess the feasibility of superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap for oral maxillofacial reconstruction and evaluate computed tomography angiography (CTA) and color Doppler sonography (CDS) in mapping superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA) and its perforators. Material and methods Fifteen patients were carried out surgery. Perforator identification and the relationship between SCIA, deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) and superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) were performed preoperatively and intra-operatively. Results The relationship between SCIA, DCIA and SIEA was depicted and subdivided into type 1 (8/15), type 2 (2/15), type 3 (2/15), type 4 (2/15) and type 5 (1/15). Surgical procedures and SCIP flap anatomy were described. 14/15 of the SCIP flaps survived and one with necrosis. Conclusions The SCIP flap is a reliable, thin and pliable flap with hidden donor site morbidity for oral maxillofacial reconstruction. CTA and CDS are valuable methods for preoperative assessment of the perforator's location and type.