Recent advances in microsurgery and myocutaneous flaps have induced many surgernsto consider skin flaps from a new point, and this has produced an interest in the fundamentals governing flaps. If the flap is longer and larger, it should be delayed for complete survival, but delay requires considerable time. Therefore, as a substitute for delay, vascular anastomosis in the distal part of a flap will theoretically give the same effect.
In this study, we investigated the importance of arterial inflow in the distal side of a flap in a rat.
The experiment was done in 3 groups ´according to design of flaps and in each group, 3 subgroups was made. In A flap, the superficial epigastric artery was preserved or anastomosis. In B flap, both superficial epigastric artery and vein was preserved or anastomosis. In C flap, both artery and vein was severed.
In result, C flaps in all 3 groups were showed constant distal necrosis. Both A and B flaps in all 3 groups were completely survived.
In conclusion, we suggest. the possibility that a large flap may be transposed in one stage with vascular anastomosis in the distal part preferably artery and vein, or artery only.
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