Skin Cancer and Melanoma: Surgical Treatment and Reconstruction of the Abdomen

Abstract

The abdominal wall provides rigid protection to the abdominal viscera. Moreover, the abdominal musculature is responsible for core strength and agility. The detailed anatomy of the musculature of the abdominal wall extends beyond the scope of this chapter as it is rarely required to extirpate a skin tumor in that depth. In rare cases, one must master the knowledge of the anterolateral musculature of the abdominal wall as components separation of the abdominal wall may be used in order to provide closure. Thus, the anterolateral musculature will be portrayed in detail. It is worth mentioning the superficial fascia as it is common knowledge that the superficial vessels, nerves, and lymphatics course within it near the groin. The superficial fascia is comprised from two anatomically distinct layers. It consists of the superficial (Camper’s fascia) and deep layer (Scarpa’s fascia). Camper’s fascia is thick, and it passes over the inguinal ligament and is continuous with the superficial fascia of the thigh. Scarpa’s fascia is continuous with Colles fascia and does blend with the tensor fascia lata. Moreover, it is loosely adherent to the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle and to the linea alba and symphysis pubis.