Abstract：
BACKGROUND: Flaps have become an integral part of plastic and reconstructive surgery. The robust blood supply of such flaps is a prerequisite to reduce flap failure. Despite the reported versatility of the occipital flap, comprehensive anatomical studies on its perforators and perforasomes are lacking. Hence, we examined the perforators originating from the occipital artery and their associated perforasomes, aiming to fill this knowledge gap for reconstructive surgery techniques.
METHODS: 39 of 40 occipital arteries of 20 fresh anatomical head specimens were dissected. Perforators with a least an outer diameter of 0.50 mm were identified and injected with dye to color their respective perforasomes. Location and size of the colored skin areas were determined as well as the location of their perforators were documented and analyzed.
RESULTS: In total, 183 perforators were found and described. The mean diameter of these vessels was 0.88 ± 0.27 mm (0.5-2.1 mm). The mean area of the perforasomes was 1288.26 ± 662.51 mm2 (144.60-3890.60 mm2). They were localized over the whole nuchal and occipital area. Lastly, perforator diameters were significantly associated with the size of their resulting perforasomes.
CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first comprehensive overview of perforators and associated perforasomes of the occipital artery on a respectable amount of specimen. The arterial supply of big portions of the occipital and nuchal area is provided solely by the perforators of the occipital artery. For flap surgery, perforator diameter is a crucial detail to be considered in the decision-making process.
METHODS: 39 of 40 occipital arteries of 20 fresh anatomical head specimens were dissected. Perforators with a least an outer diameter of 0.50 mm were identified and injected with dye to color their respective perforasomes. Location and size of the colored skin areas were determined as well as the location of their perforators were documented and analyzed.
RESULTS: In total, 183 perforators were found and described. The mean diameter of these vessels was 0.88 ± 0.27 mm (0.5-2.1 mm). The mean area of the perforasomes was 1288.26 ± 662.51 mm2 (144.60-3890.60 mm2). They were localized over the whole nuchal and occipital area. Lastly, perforator diameters were significantly associated with the size of their resulting perforasomes.
CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first comprehensive overview of perforators and associated perforasomes of the occipital artery on a respectable amount of specimen. The arterial supply of big portions of the occipital and nuchal area is provided solely by the perforators of the occipital artery. For flap surgery, perforator diameter is a crucial detail to be considered in the decision-making process.
摘要：
背景：皮瓣已成为整形和重建手术不可或缺的一部分。这种皮瓣的强大血液供应是减少皮瓣失败的先决条件。尽管据报道枕骨瓣的多功能性，缺乏对其穿孔器和穿孔体的全面解剖学研究。因此，我们检查了源自枕动脉的穿孔器及其相关的穿孔体，旨在填补重建手术技术的知识空白。
方法：解剖20个新鲜解剖头部标本的40个枕动脉中的39个。识别出至少外径为0.50mm的穿孔器，并注入染料以对其各自的穿孔体进行着色。确定有色皮肤区域的位置和大小，并记录和分析其穿孔器的位置。
结果：总计，发现并描述了183个射孔器。这些血管的平均直径为0.88±0.27mm（0.5-2.1mm）。穿孔体的平均面积为1288.26±662.51mm2（144.60-3890.60mm2）。它们位于整个颈部和枕骨区域。最后,穿孔器直径与所产生的穿孔体的大小显著相关.
结论：这项研究是对相当数量的枕骨动脉穿孔器和相关穿孔体的首次全面概述。枕骨和颈区大部分的动脉供应仅由枕动脉的穿孔器提供。对于皮瓣手术，射孔器直径是决策过程中需要考虑的关键细节。
方法：解剖20个新鲜解剖头部标本的40个枕动脉中的39个。识别出至少外径为0.50mm的穿孔器，并注入染料以对其各自的穿孔体进行着色。确定有色皮肤区域的位置和大小，并记录和分析其穿孔器的位置。
结果：总计，发现并描述了183个射孔器。这些血管的平均直径为0.88±0.27mm（0.5-2.1mm）。穿孔体的平均面积为1288.26±662.51mm2（144.60-3890.60mm2）。它们位于整个颈部和枕骨区域。最后,穿孔器直径与所产生的穿孔体的大小显著相关.
结论：这项研究是对相当数量的枕骨动脉穿孔器和相关穿孔体的首次全面概述。枕骨和颈区大部分的动脉供应仅由枕动脉的穿孔器提供。对于皮瓣手术，射孔器直径是决策过程中需要考虑的关键细节。
