Retraction of the delto-pectoral flap. Clinical observations and the design of an experimental model.
The human delto-pectoral flap retracts markedly across its breadth, but remains the same length after elevation. This unindirectional retraction declines with age. Flaps in a similar position on the pig running in the same direction behave in a similar fashion, suggesting that such flaps are a suitable animal model for the study of this property.
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013518:Surgery, Plastic; D013552:Swine; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous