A new flap model in the rat: The pectoral skin flap

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.