OBJECTIVE To provide the anatomical basis for the free paraumbilical flap with sensory nerve. METHODS The morphology, branch and distribution of the inferior epigastric artery and inferior intercostal nerve were dissected and measured in 20 adult cadaver specimens. RESULTS The diameter of inferior epigastric artery at the original point was (2.3 +/- 0.3) mm, and that of its accompanying vein was (3.6 +/- 0.4) mm. The anterial branch of inferior intercostal nerves transversed through their corresponding intercostal spaces of axilla anterior line and ran out of the superficial fascia at the midclavicular line. The lateral anterior branch of the eighth to tenth intercostal nerves ran out of superficial fascia in the range of 0-7 cm above umbilicus and innervated the paraumbilical flap. CONCLUSION It is possible to design sensory paraumbilical flap with the lateral anterior branch of the eighth to tenth intercostal nerve.
