The Axillary Tree as a Source of Musculocutaneous and Fasciocutaneous Flaps in a Fixed-Skin Porcine Model.
Publication/Presentation Date
5-1-1998
Abstract
Our understanding of muscle, fascia, and skin flap physiology is based largely on data obtained from rodent, rabbit, or canine models. The presence of a well-developed panniculus carnosus confounds the extrapolation of data from these animals to humans. This study attempted to define microsurgically applicable musculocutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps in the pig that would be comparable to flaps commonly used in humans. Lead oxide was injected into each axillary artery of three standard white domestic swine. Gross dissection and radiographic studies were used to define the specific anatomic fasciocutaneous territory served by the branches of the circumflex scapular artery. Eight musculocutaneous flaps based on the thoracodorsal artery and eight fasciocutaneous flaps based on the circumflex scapular artery were elevated. Although all flaps survived in their entirety, the fasciocutaneous flaps did not, as in man, have an easily dissectable axial blood supply. This finding suggests that the porcine scapular fasciocutaneous flap, although reliable as a pedicled flap, is difficult to employ as a free tissue transfer.
Volume
40
Issue
5
First Page
473
Last Page
477
ISSN
0148-7043
Published In/Presented At
Murphy, R. J., & Sonntag, B. V. (1998). The axillary tree as a source of musculocutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps in a fixed-skin porcine model. Annals Of Plastic Surgery, 40(5), 473-477.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Other Medical Specialties | Plastic Surgery | Surgery
PubMedID
9600430
Department(s)
Department of Surgery, Department of Surgery Faculty
Document Type
Article