Female cadaveric study of neurovascular pedicle in latissimus dorsi muscle flap

Background. The goal of this investigation was to analyse the branching pattern of the arterial supply and innervation of Latissimus Dorsi (LD). The aim was also to determine the distance of origin of its neurovascular pedicle from the inferior scapular angle. Methods. The present study included 9 adult female embalmed cadavers, which were avail-able in the department of anatomy. Neurovascular pedicle of the latissimus dorsi was studied over the right and left sides (n=18). The long thoracic artery origin was also observed. The distance of the neurovascular pedicle from the scapular inferior angle was measured by using a digital Vernier calliper. Results. It was observed that, in 44.4% cases, type 1a pattern of the thoracodorsal artery was observed. Type A pattern of thoracodorsal nerve was observed in 55.5% cases. It was observed that the thoracodorsal nerve was laterally related to the artery to LD in 94.5% cases. The distance of origin of neurovascular pedicle of LD from the inferior scapular angle was 60.8 ± 6.2 mm over the right side and the same measurement was 59.8 ± 6.4 mm over the left side. The comparison of this data didn’t show statistical significance (Paired t Test, p=0.49). Conclusions. It was observed that the arterial branching pattern of the LD muscle was extremely variable. The findings will assist the plastic surgery during the breast reconstruction procedure.