[Free microsurgical superior musculocutaneous trapezius flap of the swine: an ideal training model for microvascular reconstructions and in vitro model for experimental microsurgery].
BACKGROUND
Until now there have been no published studies on musculocutaneous porcine free flaps with an uncompromised vascular pedicle, easy surgical access and anatomic orientation allowing unlimited postoperative movement, as German animal research regulations require.


RESULTS
The authors present the porcine musculocutaneous superior trapezius flap. It is supplied by the transverse neck artery, a branch of the thyrocervical trunk of the subclavian artery as in human anatomy.


CONCLUSIONS
The advantages of this flap are its easy surgical access, its uncompromised vascular anatomy, and the easy closure of the donor area. The authors demonstrated the uncompromised vascular anatomy in 40 pigs with body weights ranging between 24 and 68 kg. The pigs were able to move normally following surgery.
Mayer
B
B
St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus Berlin (Mitte), Lehrkrankenhaus der Charité, Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Krankheiten, Plastische Gesichts- und Halschirurgie.
Kaempfer
L
L
D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000098:blood supply; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*
Der freie mikrochirurgische obere muskulokutane Trapezius-Lappen des Schweines: Ein ideales Trainingsmodell für mikrovaskuläre Rekonstruktionen und ein In-vitro-Modell für die experimentelle Mikrochirurgie.