Comparative analysis of internal thoracic and thoracodorsal vessels as recipient vessels for free flap breast reconstruction

Diameters of deep inferior epigastric, subscapular and internal thoracic vessels were compared to identify the most adequate recipient vessel for free flap breast reconstruction. Internal thoracic vessels were found to have stable anatomic characteristics at the level of the 3-rd intercostal space (the average diameters of arteries and veins were 2,16 mm and 2,55 mm, respectively) not yielding to the diameters of thoracodorsal vessels. Exposure of internal thoracic vessels can be performed by minimally invasive procedure using videothoracoscopy parasternal lymphodissection.