Surgery · Wound Healing, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

According to the Mathes and Nahai classification of muscle flaps based on their vascular anatomy, which of the following muscles is classified as Type I, supplied by a single dominant vascular pedicle?

  • A Tibialis anterior
  • B Gracilis
  • C Sartorius
  • D Gastrocnemius
Correct answer: D. Gastrocnemius

Explanation

The Mathes and Nahai system grades muscles by pedicle pattern: Type I has one vascular pedicle (gastrocnemius), Type II has a dominant pedicle plus minor pedicles (gracilis), Type IV has multiple segmental pedicles (sartorius), and Type V has one dominant and one secondary pedicle (latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major). Sartorius as a segmentally supplied Type IV muscle tolerates only limited mobilization, making it a poor flap choice.

Reference: Grabb and Smith's Plastic Surgery, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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