EFFECT OF MUSCLE FLAP DENERVATION ON FLOW HEMODYNAMICS - A NEW MODEL FOR CHRONIC IN-VIVO STUDIES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate microcirculatory dynamics fo llowing muscle flap denervation. A modification of standard cremaster muscle flap was used. Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were studied in t wo experimental groups of 25 rats each, as follows: Group I (control), after flap isolation, the neurovascular pedicle was left intact; grou p II (denervation), following muscle isolation a 1 cm segment of genit ofemoral nerve was excised and denervated muscle was preserved in the medial border of rat hind limb. For chronic evaluation the cremaster w as withdrawn from the leg and prepared for in vivo observations after days 1, 3, 7, and 14. The following measurements were taken: vessel di ameters, red blood cell velocities, and number of perfused capillaries . In group II a 15% increase in arteriolar diameter was observed. Thro ughout the entire 14 day period denervated flaps presented 27% more pe rfused capillaries. Flap denervation proved to increase capillary perf usion significantly (P < 0.05). The cremaster muscle tube-flap model i ntroduced in this study allows for chronic observation of the microcir culation. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.