The free serratus anterior artery perforator flap - A case report and anatomic study

We report a reconstructive case using a free serratus anterior artery perforator flap and an anatomic study. A 50-year-old man with upper esophageal sphincter stricture underwent segmental cervical esophageal resection. The size of the defect was approximately 5.5 cm. We then performed esophageal reconstruction using the free serratus anterior artery perforator flap. Esophagography performed on postoperative day 7 revealed no definite leakage and a viable anastomosis site with wide patency. No complications developed during the long-term follow-up period of 3 years. We reviewed the literature and performed an anatomic study using four fresh cadavers. We performed an angiographic study using two specimens and dissection of this perforator using other two specimens. We found that a direct connection existed between the serratus anterior artery and intercostal perforator to the skin in two of eight chests. The connection was located at the 4th intercostal space in the left chest of one cadaver and at the 6th/7th intercostal space in the left chest of the other cadaver. The free serratus anterior artery perforator flap is a new flap that could be considered for use during the elevation of a perforator flap in the lateral chest area, and especially in the area overlying the serratus anterior muscle.