Free vascularized fibular bone flap in the rat

Free vascularized fibula bone flap has been widely used in reconstruction o f the mandible, long segment defect, congenital pseudarthroses, and osteomy elitis. Such applications stirred an interest in basic studies of bone biol ogy, bone healing process, and incorporation of recipient bone defect. An e xperimental free vascularized fibula rat model is presented here for such i nvestigations. We performed 16 angiograms and anatomic dissections in eight rats for collecting data on fibular length, blood supply, and the caliber of significant vessels, The fibula was harvested with part of the flexor ha llucis longus muscle with an average length of 28 mm. The pedicle can be ta ken in continuity with the popliteal vessels (average diameter of 0.8 mm an d 0.9 mm of artery and vein, respectively, with an average pedicle length o f 14 mm). This vascularized fibula bone was harvested and transferred to th e groin area of the same rat and anastomosed to the saphenous vessels. Twel ve transplantations were performed, with a 7-day flap survival rate of 100% . The free fibula vascularized bone flap in the rat is a reliable model for further investigations. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.