The nerve supply to the pectoralis major: An anatomical study and clinical application of the denervation in subpectoral breast implant surgery

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader The nerve supply to the pectoralis major: An anatomical study and clinical application of the denervation in subpectoral breast implant surgery Via Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Jun 13:S1748-6815(21)00314-4. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.055. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Using the subpectoral approach, animation deformity or breast distortion due to pectoralis muscle contraction is common. Although the anatomy of the pectoral nerves has been extensively studied, only few studies have related the location of these nerves to bony landmarks. OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to clarify the anatomy and possible variations of the innervation of the pectoralis major in relation to bony landmarks useful for surgery and to identify the preferred level for (selective) denervation by 1) transecting the nerves and 2) splitting the muscle in subpectoral breast implant surgery in cadavers. METHODS: Fourteen pectoral regions (both left and right side) were dissected on 7 formaldehyde-fixed cadavers. The origin, locations, and course were mapped and (distances to) landmarks we re reported. RESULTS: The lateral pectoral nerve, medial pectoral nerve, and ansa pectoralis were identified in all cadavers. Nerve branches pierce the pectoralis minor or run along its upper or lower border. The piercing nerves vary from one to three branches and were consistently located lateral to the midclavicular line. The horizontal and vertical distances to bony landmarks varied greatly and depended on the size and location of the pectoralis minor, except for the nerve running along the upper border of the PMin, which was located consistently around 30% of the clavicular line from the acromioclavicular joint to the sternoclavicular joint. CONCLUSION: We were unable to define a fixed landmark to mark pre- or peroperatively. However, we could define guidelines that help to identify and excise or preserve nerves of interest. PMID:34247965 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.055 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.