title: Neurovascular anatomy of the rectus femoris flap in the rabbit.
abstract: The rectus femoris muscle in the rabbit represents a reliable flap for experimental work in many aspects of microsurgery. The operative exposure of the flap is often tricky for those unfamiliar with the anatomy, as is isolation of its neurovascular pedicle. Experience with 59 consecutive rectus femoris flaps demonstrated five separate patterns of arteral and venous pedicles. The nervous anatomy was found to be constant. Once recognized, these vessel patterns can be used to facilitate pedicle dissection, thus minimizing intraoperative mistakes which may endanger the viability of the flap.
authors.affiliation: RAFT Institute of Plastic Surgery, Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, Middlesex, United Kingdom. antmacquillan@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: MacQuillan
authors.forename: Adriaan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grobbelaar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006614:Hindlimb; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D011817:Rabbits; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation