Arterial supply to the scrotum: A cadaveric angiographic study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To determine the dominant arterial supply to the scrotum. STUDY DESIGN Experimental anatomic study. ANIMALS Intact male canine cadavers (n = 10). METHODS Barium sulfate was injected into the internal iliac artery (n = 7) or into the pudendoepigastric trunk (n = 3). The perineal, scrotal, and prescrotal skin was sharply dissected from cadavers and radiographed. Angiograms were subjectively reviewed by 3 investigators. RESULTS Angiograms were completed successfully in all 10 dogs, with no difference between frozen and fresh cadavers. The dominant blood supply to the scrotum was consistently identified as arising from the ventral perineal arteries, originating from the internal pudendal arteries, coursing ventrally and cranially toward the caudal scrotum before terminating as the dorsal scrotal arteries (n = 7). The blood supply to the cranial scrotum was more limited (n = 3) as only the cranial border of the scrotum was perfused by the ventral scrotal arteries. CONCLUSION Based on this anatomic perfusion study, the dorsal scrotal arteries appear to supply a larger area than the ventral scrotal arteries. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE These results provide evidence to justify further consideration of a scrotal flap using the caudal perineal skin as the main cutaneous pedicle to reconstruct defects located on the caudal, medial, and lateral thighs in dogs. Such a flap should be based on the caudal blood supply and the base of this flap should be located caudal to the scrotum to preserve its main blood supply.