Studies on the nature of the flap/bed interaction in rodents--Part I: Flap survival under varying conditions.
A flap needs close contact with its bed for optimal flap survival. Using a rat dorsal flap model, flap/bed contact times were varied by use of a sterile polyethylene film. In addition, the flap was modified either by removing the panniculus carnosus or by converting the distal flap into a skin graft. Finally, the effect of using a dressing was assessed. Several observations were made: (1) The initial 6 to 12 hours of a flap's interaction with its bed is critical for optimal survival; (2) fluorescein accurately predicted flap survival upon polyethylene removal; (3) removing the panniculus carnosus increased flap and skin graft survival; (4) dressing allowed flaps and skin grafts to better withstand bed deprivation; and (5) distal flaps and skin grafts under various conditions responded differently to bed deprivation.
Angel
M F
MF
Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA.
Kaufman
T
T
Swartz
W M
WM
Ramasastry
S S
SS
Narayanan
K
K
Futrell
J W
JW
D000818:Animals; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors