The purpose of this study was to describe a new axial-pattern experimental
flap model in the rat, Wistar rats weighing 200 to 250 g were used in the e
xperiment. In 15 rats, the superficial anatomy of the ventral thoracic regi
on was studied by anatomic dissection, dye injection, and microangiography,
using 5 rats in each group. The anatomic studies revealed that the ventral
thoracic skin derives its principal blood supply from the long thoracic ar
tery-a branch of the common thoracic artery, Based on these anatomic studie
s, the pectoral skin flap model, pedicled on the long thoracic vessels, was
created in the rat, The flap is bounded medially by the midsternal line, l
aterally by the anterior axillary line, and superiorly and inferiorly by tr
ansverse lines passing at the level of the suprasternal notch and the xypho
id process respectively. In 5 animals, bilateral flaps (N = 10) were raised
and replaced in situ, In 15 animals, oversized flaps were created by exten
ding the flap for both a greater width (N = 10) and length (N = 10), Althou
gh all the flaps limited to the cutaneous territory as described were found
to survive totally, oversized flaps underwent partial necrosis distally, T
he authors conclude that the pectoral flap is a simple and reliable skin fl
ap model for future biological and pharmacological study because it is very
easy to raise, has a consistent vascular pedicle, and has well-defined bor
ders with consistent landmarks.