There are several methods of quantifying the vascularization of tissue
s, including the skin, but they are imprecise in terms of quantificati
on of the complexity and structure of vascular networks. Fractal analy
sis can quantify the complexity of any structure existing in nature by
using fractional dimension. This study makes a case for this approach
by demonstrating the fractal structure of the skin vascular network i
n the mouse. The skin was removed from the posterior face of the thigh
, which is supplied by a musculocutaneous perforator system. Twenty ar
terial vascular networks were investigated by image analysis and the f
ractal dimension was determined by the box counting method. Statistica
l analysis revealed an average mean of fractal dimension D = 1.256 (SD
= 0.086), indicating low to intermediate complexity with a narrow dis
tribution of results. D should logically fluctuate within a certain li
mit, depending on the anatomical structure investigated and its physio
logical function. These results demonstrate the ability of fractal ana
lysis to quantify the vascular pattern o the skin. Fractal analysis op
ens a new field of investigation in the study of vascularization patte
rns and possible vascular modification by different physiological or p
athological conditions (flap-delay techniques, tobacco use, diabetes m
ellitus, classification of diabetic retinopathies).