Perforator-based flap in rats: A new experimental model

A new type of flap, the perforator-based flap, has been described in the la st decade. It has been used successfully as a pedicle or free flap by many plastic surgeons. There is no animal model for research, although these fla ps have gained popularity in clinical use. We created a perforator-based fl ap model in the rat (a perforator-based flap group and two control groups; 10 rats in each group) and evaluated the survival characteristics of the ne w flap. The abdominal skin flap was elevated based on the second perforator of the right superior deep epigastric artery and then sutured to its origi nal bed. In the first control group, the same flap was elevated with a subc utaneous pedicle without any perforator; in the second control group, a rig ht-sided, random-pattern pedicle abdominal skin flap with the same dimensio ns and location was elevated and sutured to its original bed. Flap survival was studied, and microangiography and histologic studies were performed. T he amount of viable skin in the three groups was compared 1 week later. The area of surviving skin paddles in the experimental group ranged from '74 t o 83 percent; in the first control group, it was 0 percent; and in the seco nd control group, it ranged from 29 to 44 percent (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). There was a predictable and constant area of necrosis in th e model. The results of this study demonstrate that most of the abdominal skin of th e rat can survive on the basis of a single musculocutaneous perforator vess el. This flap can be easily elevated, and it can be used as a reliable mode l for flap research.