Radiological Anatomy of the Perforators of the Gluteal Region: the “radiosome” Based Anatomy

Background The superior (SGA) and the inferior gluteal artery (IGA) perforator flaps are widely used in pressure‐sore repair and in breast reconstruction. The aim was to exhaustively depict the topographical anatomy of the whole system of perforators in the buttock. Methods Eighty lower‐extremity computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of patients (20 males/20 females, mean age 61‐years old, range 38‐81) were considered. The source artery, location, type, and caliber of gluteal perforators were analyzed. The location of perforators was reproduced using a standardized two‐dimensional grid on the coronal plane, centered onto defined bone landmarks. We defined “radiosome” the cutaneous vascular territory of a source artery inferred through the representation of its whole perforator system at the exit point through the deep fascia. Results A mean number of 25.6 ± 5.7 perforators in the gluteal region was observed, distributed as follows: 11.6 ± 4.8(45.2%) from SGA; 7.9 ± 4.5(30.8%) from IGA; 1.5 ± 0.8(5.8%) from fifth lumbar artery; 1.2 ± 0.8(4.7%) from internal pudendal artery; 1.2 ± 1(4.8%) from lateral circumflex femoral artery; 0.3 ± 0.7(1.2%) from circumflex iliac superficial artery. At least one large (internal diameter > 1 mm) SGA septocutaneous perforator was present in 77.5% of patients. Conclusions The gluteal region is vascularized by perforators of multiple source arteries. Septocutaneous perforators of SGA and IGA were planned along a curve drawn from the posterior‐superior border of the iliac crest to the greater trochanter. The lumbar artery perforators are clustered over the apex of the iliac crest; the internal pudendal artery perforators are clustered medially to the ischiatic tuberosity. Contributions can also come from the sacral and superficial circumflex iliac arteries.