title: A Model of Free Tissue Transfer: The Rat Epigastric Free Flap.
abstract: Free tissue transfer has been increasingly used in clinical practice since the 1970s, allowing reconstruction of complex and otherwise untreatable defects resulting from tumor extirpation, trauma, infections, malformations or burns. Free flaps are particularly useful for reconstructing highly complex anatomical regions, like those of the head and neck, the hand, the foot and the perineum. Moreover, basic and translational research in the area of free tissue transfer is of great clinical potential. Notwithstanding, surgical trainees and researchers are frequently deterred from using microsurgical models of tissue transfer, due to lack of information regarding the technical aspects involved in the operative procedures. The aim of this paper is to present the steps required to transfer a fasciocutaneous epigastric free flap to the neck in the rat. This flap is based on the superficial epigastric artery and vein, which originates from and drain into the femoral artery and vein, respectively. On average the caliber of the superficial epigastric vein is 0.6 to 0.8 mm, contrasting with the 0.3 to 0.5 mm of the superficial epigastric artery. Histologically, the flap is a composite block of tissues, containing skin (epidermis and dermis), a layer of fat tissue (panniculus adiposus), a layer of striated muscle (panniculus carnosus), and a layer of loose areolar tissue. Succinctly, the epigastric flap is raised on its pedicle vessels that are then anastomosed to the external jugular vein and to the carotid artery on the ventral surface of the rat's neck. According to our experience, this model guarantees the complete survival of approximately 70 to 80% of epigastric flaps transferred to the neck region. The flap can be evaluated whenever needed by visual inspection. Hence, the authors believe this is a good experimental model for microsurgical research and training.
authors.affiliation: Anatomy Department, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa; CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa; diogo_bogalhao@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Diogo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Casal
authors.affiliation: Anatomy Department, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa.
authors.forename: Diogo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pais
authors.affiliation: UCIBIO, Life Sciences Department, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa; CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa.
authors.forename: Inês
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Iria
authors.affiliation: Physics Department, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, LIBPhys.
authors.forename: Eduarda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mota-Silva
authors.affiliation: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department and Burn Unit, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central - Hospital de São José.
authors.forename: Maria-Angélica
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central - Hospital de São José.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central - Hospital de São José.
authors.forename: Cláudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pen
authors.affiliation: CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farinho
authors.affiliation: Anatomy Department, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa; Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central - Hospital de São José.
authors.forename: Luís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mascarenhas-Lemos
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central - Hospital de São José.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferreira-Silva
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central - Hospital de São José.
authors.forename: Mário
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferraz-Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Physics Department, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, LIBPhys.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vassilenko
authors.affiliation: UCIBIO, Life Sciences Department, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa; CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa.
authors.forename: Paula A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Videira
authors.affiliation: Anatomy Department, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa; Physics Department, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, LIBPhys.
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gory O'Neill
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000818:Animals; D002339:Carotid Arteries; D019074:Epigastric Arteries; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D005268:Femoral Vein; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D007601:Jugular Veins; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D009333:Neck; D051381:Rats; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*