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J Reconstr Microsurg 1994; 10(4): 229-233
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1006589
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1994 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Microvascular Vein Grafts in the Rat Cutaneous Free-Flap Model

Feng Zhang, Alfonso Oliva, Samuel D. Kao, Leonard Newlin, Harry J. Buncke
  • Harry J. Buncke Microsurgical Laboratory, Davies Medical Center, San Francisco, California
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted for publication 1993

Publication Date:
08 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

This study utilizes the rat free groin-flap model to evaluate the survival of free flaps following revascularization with interpositional vein grafts. One hundred and fifty-three Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a control group in which the groin flap was revascularized by simple end-to-end anastomosis, and three experimental groups revascularized with 10-mm, size-matched, interpositional, vein grafts to the femoral artery (Experimental Group 1), to the femoral vein (Experimental Group 2), and to both arterial and venous femoral vessels (Experimental Group 3). No statistically significant difference was noted in survival rates, when the experimental groups were compared to the control group (p 1 = 0.619, p 2 = 0.677, p 3 -0.666). As demonstrated by this study, free-tissue transfers in the rat, utilizing 10-mm, interpositional, vein grafts that are size-matched, and performed in a controlled laboratory setting, have the same survival rates as those revascularized by primary arterial and venous repairs.

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