BLOOD-FLOW THROUGH PREFABRICATED FLAPS - AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY IN RABBITS

Prefabricated flaps were created by femoral vessel implantation beneat h the abdominal skin in rabbits. The area of survival and blood flow t hrough the prefabricated flap were measured after 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 1 2-week intervals. The parameters at 6, 8 and 12-week intervals were si gnificantly larger than those for random pattern flaps (p < 0.01), but were significantly smaller than those for axial pattern flaps (p < 0. 01). The minimum interval at which the prefabricated flap could be tra nsferred successfully was between 6 and 8 weeks in this model. Microan giography demonstrated that neovascularisation began at the distal end of the implanted vascular bundle and spread throughout the flap by 8 weeks.