Lateral thoracic artery as a vascular variant in the supply to the free serratus anterior flap

Abstract

The authors describe a case in which the dominant blood supply to a subperiosteally-harvested serratus anterior muscle and rib composite myoosseous free flap came from the lateral thoracic artery. There were no other associated features in this patient to warn of the vascular variant. Reconstructive surgeons should be aware of possible variations in the vascular anatomy of this flap.