SCIP Flap Design and Elevation

A SCIP flap was designed according to the dimensions of presternal defects and dissected as previously reported.^4–6 A 10-cm length exploration incision that was located 3 cm below the inguinal ligament was incised firstly to expose the superficial iliac circumflex vessels. The perforators of this vessel were clearly visualized and then dissected proximately. With a retrograde approach, the pedicle was skeletonized under the deep fascia to its origin point from the femoral triangle. After the pedicle dissection was accomplished, the flap was elevated suprafacially based on the perforators. Before pedicle division, the flap could be thinned with Metzenbaum scissors peripherally and microsurgical scissors centrally, with the perforators being carefully preserved. The flap was then detached after the preparation of recipient vessels.