Angiotomografía en la evaluación de arterias perforantes para reconstrucción mediante colgajos: lo que el cirujano quiere saber y el radiólogo debe informar

Since the introduction of the concept of “angiosomes”, the perforating arteries and their potential for use in flaps was described. Angiotomography is an excellent imaging modality for preoperative evaluation in reconstructive surgery and is very important in presurgical assessment. This imaging technique requires a multidisciplinary approach in which the radiologist and the plastic surgeon participate. The radiological report must include the origin of the artery, detail it’s course, quantify the caliber and determine the position where it emerges through the fascial plane to give the surgeon the possible information in presurgical planning and surgical procedure. The main advantage of this technique is the reduction of surgical timing and possible complications. The radiologist should be familiar with the most commonly used types of flaps, the anatomy of the arteries and their perforators to guide the plastic surgeon in presurgical planning and decision making.