Haemodynamic assessment of the superficial inferior epigastric artery to demonstrate the vascularisation of a new lower transverse abdominal flap.

Haemodynamics examines the mechanics of blood circulation to define anatomy, support diagnosis, and guide treatment of tissue and organ alterations. The superficial inferior epigastric arteries (SIEAs) were studied in surgical specimens discarded from abdominoplasties to evaluate the most perfused regions for creating the lower transverse abdominal flap. In this observational, descriptive, and analytical study (2021-2024), SIEAs from 78 abdominoplasty specimens were catheterised, divided into four regions, and subjected to haemodynamic analysis. Two groups were studied: G1 (post-bariatric surgery) and G2 (without prior surgery). Numerical variables were summarised using measures of central tendency and dispersion. Associations between categorical variables were tested with Fisher's exact test. The Shapiro-Wilk test assessed the normality of quantitative variables. Comparisons between two independent groups used Student's t-test for normally distributed data and the Mann-Whitney U test for non-normal distributions. For paired groups, the paired Student's t-test was applied for normal data, and the Wilcoxon and Spearman tests for non-normal data. Women comprised 71 participants (91.0%). G1 included 22 (28.2%), and G2 included 56 (71.8%). Statistically significant differences were observed between G1 and G2 in SIEA diameters. Haemodynamic analysis showed satisfactory perfusion in areas I and II (100% contrast filling of the vascular territory), whereas areas III (33.3%) and IV (6.7%) demonstrated unsatisfactory perfusion. This study demonstrated the anatomy and flow of the SIEAs and identified the safest regions of the flap for surgical use. Areas I and II were safe, whereas areas III and IV were not.