Free pectoral skin flap in the rat based on the long thoracic vessels: a new flap model for experimental study and microsurgical training.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the vascular anatomy of the pectoral region of the rat to develop a free pectoral skin flap model. In Experiment 1 (n = 6), we performed anatomic dissection and angiographic study of the pectoral region. In Experiment 2 (n = 20), we performed microsurgical free transfer of a pectoral skin flap to the cervical or groin region. Half of the flaps were transferred with flow-though arterial anastomoses. All flaps survived except for 2 cases of autocannibalization. We conclude that the free pectoral skin flap model in the rat is simple and reliable, and can be used as an alternative experimental and training model to the superficial epigastric flap.
Miyamoto
Shimpei
S
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. shimiyam@east.ncc.go.jp
Takushima
Akihiko
A
Okazaki
Mutsumi
M
Shiraishi
Tomohiro
T
Minabe
Toshiharu
T
Harii
Kiyonori
K
D000818:Animals; D001163:Arteriovenous Anastomosis; D006119:Groin / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods*; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000098:blood supply*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013895:Thoracic Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology