The revascularization of pedicle skin flaps in pigs: a functional and morphologic study

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1982 · Plast. Reconstr. Surg.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00006534-198210000-00008· OSTI ID:6942428

Young, C M

Functional and morphologic changes occurring during the revascularization of pedicle flaps have been investigated in the skin of pigs. The skin flaps, 16 cm long by 4 cm wide, were based on a row of segmental vessels arising from the internal mammary artery. Comparative measurements were made in flapped and normal skin. The inherent blood supply in the pedicle of the flap was unable to maintain the whole of the flap in a viable state. Flap viability was ascertained at surgery by the use of the intravital dye Disulphine blue. Injections of the dye after surgery gave a less accurate prediction of viability than when dye was injected prior to surgery. Revascularization between the flap and surrounding skin was evident 3 to 4 days postoperatively at the distal, most hypoxic part of the viable flap. The whole flap had a collateral vascular supply 7 to 10 days after surgery. Isotope clearance studies showed that the greatest functional changes occurred in the distal third of the viable flap, where, after initially slowing, the clearance rate became faster than in normal skin (day 5). Potassium extraction studies indicated similar changes. However, an increase in the red-cell volume on day 1 suggested that vascular shunting was occurring. The results of the morphologic studies indicated a correlation between the number of blood vessels per unit area, the thickness of the dermis, and the recorded functional changes. Seven days after surgery, when isotope clearance rates were very rapid, there was a significant increase in the vascular density and dermal thickness.

• Research Organization: Churchill Hospital Research Institute at the University of Oxford
• OSTI ID: 6942428
• Journal Information: Plast. Reconstr. Surg.; (United States), Vol. 70:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BLOOD VESSELS
BIOLOGICAL REGENERATION
GRAFTS
VIABILITY
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
MORPHOLOGY
RADIOISOTOPES
SKIN
SWINE
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
ISOTOPES
MAMMALS
ORGANS
RECOVERY
TRANSPLANTS
VERTEBRATES
551001* - Physiological Systems- Tracer Techniques
550801 - Morphology- Tracer Techniques