The internal mammary artery perforator flap and its subtypes in the reconstruction of median sternotomy wounds

The IMAP flap has an advantage in its the ability to reconstruct the entire length of a sternotomy wound from the suprasternal notch to the xiphisternum with relatively minimal dissection and morbidity compared with more conventional flaps such as pectoralis major, rectus, and omental flaps. Nevertheless, caveats for its use remain, such as in patients with vasopressor therapy and the resulting subclavicular scar, which is unaesthetic in women. Overall, the IMAP flap is an attractive reconstructive tool specifically in stable male patients with noninfected sternotomy wound dehiscence with a defect width of up to 7 cm. In this patient subset, it is the ideal first-line reconstructive tool.