BACKGROUND: Injecting some dye into the segment of the axilar artery which nourishes the minor pectoral and anterior serratus muscles we could evaluate the periostal circulation at the sixth costal arc. METHOD: We studied an osteomuscular flap in 20 fresh corpses, 19 of them males, with ages varying from 43 to 60 and weight between 55 and 80 Kg, with the minor pectoral muscle in the cranial portion and the anterior serratus in the caudal portion. With intact muscular adhesions, a water-soluble dye - blue latex - was injected into the axilar artery under pression until periostal vessel coloration could be seen. The costal arc was photographed with the dyed periosteous vessels and was decalcified in 5% nitric acid solution thinned in 10% formalin for histological study of the periosteous. RESULTS: In all of the dissected corpses positivity by the dye in periosteous vessels could be found and histologically proved. CONCLUSION: Blood fluid course throuh periosteous vessels can accomplish an osteomuscular flap on extensive reconstructions of face and mandible.
Vascular supply; Periosteous; Costal arc; Minor pectoral; Anterior serratus
