ReviewFrontiers in oncology2026
The anterior intercostal artery perforator flap in immediate oncoplastic breast reconstruction: current applications and future perspectives.
Review in Frontiers in oncology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy in breast cancer: current evidence, technical considerations, and clinical outcomes.Updates in surgery · 2026Review
- Chronic Radiation Dermatitis After Breast Cancer Radiotherapy: Mechanistic Insights, Therapeutic Challenges, and Emerging Roles of Piezo1-Mediated Mechanotransduction.Journal of inflammation research · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
In recent years, the anterior intercostal artery perforator (AICAP) flap has gained increasing attention for its minimal donor-site morbidity, natural contour, and excellent scar concealment. This review begins by outlining the vascular anatomy of the anterior intercostal perforators, including their distribution, perfusion characteristics, and key considerations for preoperative imaging. We then summarize the indications and limitations of other commonly used chest wall perforator flaps, such as the lateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP) and thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flaps to contextualize the unique role of AICAP in partial breast reconstruction. Building on this foundation, we focus on the surgical design, harvest dimensions, arc of rotation, and anatomical relationship between AICAP flaps and the inframammary fold. Compared with traditional local flaps, AICAP flaps offer reliable vascularity, excellent tissue compliance, minimal donor-site disruption, and low rates of postoperative complications. Their location within a natural skin crease also allows the resulting scar to remain well concealed. These features make AICAP particularly suitable for precise reconstruction of defects in the lower and lower-inner breast quadrants, where long-term aesthetic stability is often difficult to achieve. Nonetheless, standardized indications, anatomical variability, limited sample sizes, and a lack of long-term follow-up continue to constrain the strength of current evidence. Overall, this review synthesizes the anatomical basis, technical considerations, clinical advantages, and existing limitations of the AICAP flap. We further highlight emerging directions-including image-guided perforator mapping, personalized flap design, and long-term outcome assessment-to support the development of more standardized and reproducible clinical pathways for AICAP-based breast reconstruction.
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