Isolated cremaster flap: A modified model in intravital microscopy

Inspection of the microcirculation in living tissues has been accomplished using various models, The rat cremaster muscle has been used for this purpo se for more than 20 years. In our study, for the first time, the pedicle of the cremaster muscle has been catheterised indirectly in order to perfuse and drain the muscle and to obtain blood samples. The assessment of the eff ects of a variety of perfusants on the microcirculation after reperfusion i njury can be carried out by using this model. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.