Blood supply to the superficial fascia of the abdomen:An anatomical study

The aim of this study was to examine data demonstrating that Scarpa's fascia, asuperficial fascia of the anterior abdominal wall, is a vascularized tissue. Specimens ofthe fascia of seven volunteers undergoing abdominoplasty surgical procedures at thePlastic Surgery Unit of the University of Padova Medical Center were collected. Frac-tal analysis and quantitative assessment of the vascular network of the fascia wascarried out, exploiting the presence of blood in the vessels. Each sample was dividedand processed for histological/immunohistochemical analysis (into 5 micron-paraffinembedded sections and cryo-sectioned free-floating samples) as well as for electronmicroscopy study. A rich vascular pattern forming a fine, dense meshwork with anarea percentage of 6.20% ± 2.10% von Willebrand factor stained vessels was notedin all the specimens of the fascia examined; the area percentage of theαSMA-stainedvessels was 2.93% ± 1.80%. The diameters of the vessels fell between the 13 and65μm range; the network was composed of arteries, veins, capillaries and lymphaticsegments. Topological results showed that the vascular network within Scarpa's fas-cia is well branched (segments: 6615 ± 3070 and 8.40 ± 3.40 per mm2; crossingpoints: 3092 ± 1490 and 3.40 ± 1.90 per mm2). Fractal analysis (fractaldimension=1.063 ± 0.10; lacunarity=0.60 ± 0.10) revealed that this particular vas-cular network has an optimal spatial distribution and homogeneity occupying theentire space of the superficial fascia. These findings could undoubtedly be useful toplastic surgeons as well as to pain management specialists.