[The architecture of the cutaneous blood vessels in scent pigs].
OBJECTIVE
To study the anatomy of cutaneous blood vessels of the scent pig, and to provide an animal model for research in plastic surgery.


METHODS
Seven Chinese mini-pigs (scent pigs) were used in the study.


RESULTS
1. The scent pig is small, easy to house, rich in panniculus adiposus. 2. The origin of cutaneous blood vessels is divided into three types: the musculo-cutaneous perforator, the intermuscular septal perforator and the direct cutaneous vessel. There are some differences in distribution, size, and architecture from the characteristics of that of human being. 3. The architecture of cutaneous vessels could be divided into four vascular plexuses: the profound vascular plexus, middle vascular plexus, superficial vascular plexus of the superficial fascia and the subdermal vascular plexus. 4. The density of vessels and vessel plexuses in the neck and trunk is higher than that of the legs.


CONCLUSIONS
In terms of the morphology of cutaneous blood vessels, the scent pig is an ideal animal model for skin flap study.
Zhang
H
H
Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100041.
Yan
Y
Y
Sun
G
G
D000818:Animals; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013556:Swine, Miniature