title: The epigastric fat transfer: an alternative free flap model in the rat.
abstract: A free epigastric fat flap, a modification of the well-known cutaneous groin flap, is described in the rat. Vascular perfusion was successfully restored when transferred to the neck of the rat in 75% of the rats that underwent surgery, as assessed by multiple postoperative stripping tests and select microangiography. This flap offers the advantages of familiar anatomy, ease of postoperative care without risk of flap trauma, and a challenge to microsurgical technique development for successful flap transfer execution. Therefore, this free flap provides an additional animal model for use in microsurgical training as well as a research tool in fat transplantation physiology.
authors: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Section, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis 46202-5200.
authors: B L
authors: BL
authors: Eppley
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Elluru
authors: C A
authors: CA
authors: Brock
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Coleman
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D002196:Capillaries / Q000473:pathology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000601:surgery; D006085:Graft Survival; D006119:Groin; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods* / Q000473:pathology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000473:pathology; D014654:Vascular Patency