Predicting the Feasibility of Utilizing SIEA Flap for Breast Reconstruction with Preoperative BMI and Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) Data

Background Diameters greater than 1.5 mm are considered one of the generally accepted criteria for utilizing superficial epigastric artery (SIEA) flaps for breast reconstruction. However, this standard fails to consider individual differences among patients or deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) perfusion of the same angiosome as the SIEA. This study combined the SIEA system with the DIEP system and explored the relationship between the two systems and body mass index (BMI) to theoretically provide a reference for flap choice in the preoperative surgical plan. Methods This study analysed preoperative computed tomography angiography (CTA) data from patients who received systematically postoperative treatment for unilateral breast cancer and were scheduled for breast reconstruction from 2013 to 2018 in our centre. All patients included had no past medical history that might have influenced the diameter of the SIEA, and their CTA data showed the presence of SIEA. Results Twenty-five females with a mean BMI of 23.6 ± 3.3 kg/m 2 were included. A total of 30 hemi-abdomens identified with the SIEA were assessed. The measured mean diameter of the SIEA was 1.63 ± 0.55 mm, showing a highly linear correlation with BMI ( r = 0.73, p