Arterial Supply of Pectoralis Major Muscle- a Cadaveric Study and its Importance in Reconstructive Surgeries

The simple anatomy, the ease of harvest and the proximity of flap to the head and neck, the reliability, size and low donor site morbidity have made pectoralis major flaps very ease for the head and neck reconstructive flap surgeries. The objective for this cadaveric dissection study is to find out the origin, intramuscular course and supply of each vessel to pectoralis major muscle and the possible variations for guiding the surgeons for the safe use of it as a myocutaneous flap in reconstruction surgeries without any complications.

A total of 50 pectoral region specimens (both right and left sided) from 25 embalmed adult human cadavers (22 males & 03 females) were studied by dissection method after the approval of Local Ethical Commiee.

The proximal part (clavicular part) of pectoralis major is always supplied by the clavicular branch of thoracoacromial artery (100%) and supplemented sometimes by deltoid branch (98%) or by acromial branch (94%) or by pectoral branch (40%). The distal part (sternocostal portion) is always supplied by the pectoral branch of thoracoacromial artery in all 50 specimens (100%) with supplementary branches from perforating branches of internal thoracic artery and lateral perforating branches of anterior intercostal artery (100%).