Annals of plastic surgery
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Annals of plastic surgery · Oct 1993
The rat rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap: a true myocutaneous flap model.
Investigations of experimental flaps in lower-order animals have concluded that the cutaneous vascular anatomy of "loose-skinned" animals is not analogous to that of humans. This is particularly relevant with respect to myocutaneous flaps. The interpretation of results of studies in lower-order animals raises questions as to the applicability of these data to the human condition. ⋯ The rat rectus abdominis muscle and overlying cutaneous island constitutes a true myocutaneous territory. This has not been described in a low-order laboratory animal. The flap can be based on single or double, superior or inferior, epigastric vessels with predictable flap survival. The superiorly based and double pedicle flap demonstrates nearly complete viability. This model should serve as a useful investigational tool in the laboratory study of myocutaneous flaps.