Anatomic studies of the availability of the transverse cervical artery as the stem vessel of pedicled myocutaneous flaps in plastic surgery

: The course and the circulation area of the A. transversa colli were characterized preparatorically as well as with the help of injections of stains and angiographically with contrast media in corpses. Predictions concerning the formation of the angiosomes and thus the size and the shape of musculocutaneous trapezius flaps were derived from the investigations. The presentation of the specific topographic relations of the A. and V. transversa colli revealed indications concerning the formation of the vascular pedicle and thus the possibilities to transpose the musculocutaneous flaps in order to cover skin defects of the head, neck and thorax after extensive surgical intervention.