title: Role of perivenous areolar tissue and recipient bed in the viability of venous flaps in the rabbit ear model.
abstract: This study was performed to investigate the role of perivenous areolar tissue and flap bed in the viability of venous flaps in the rabbit ear model as described by Inada et al. Six groups of flaps were studied: group A--flap based on a proximal vein and areolar tissue; group B--flap based on a proximal venous pedicle which has been skeletonised; group C--flaps based on a proximal vein and areolar tissue sutured over a full thickness skin graft (FTSG), preventing diffusion into the flap; group D--flaps with a skeletonised pedicle sutured over a FTSG; group E--control, non-vascularised flap placed directly on bed; and Group F--control, non-vascularised flap sutured over a FTSG. Groups C and D had 15 flaps and the remaining groups had 10 flaps in each. All flaps in groups A and B had total or partial survival. In group C 4 flaps survived completely, 8 had partial survival and 3 necrosed. Group D had only 2 flaps with partial survival with 13 flaps with total loss. In group E there were 10 flaps with partial survival and none with complete loss. No flaps in group F survived. Histological examination of the pedicle showed small vascular channels present in the areolar tissue surrounding the venous pedicle. This study confirms the importance of the perivenous areolar tissue in the perfusion of the venous skin flap in the rabbit ear model.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Craniofacial and Reconstructive Surgery, Southfield, Michigan.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fukuta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wheatley
authors.forename: I T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004423:Ear / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology*; D011817:Rabbits; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000502:physiology; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000502:physiology*; D014680:Veins / Q000502:physiology