ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to observe the isolated effects of pedicle torsion on island
skin flaps, without further damaging the pedicle. Twelve adult male Sprague-Dawley
rats, weighting 240 to 300 gr, were used, and hexagonal flaps with edges measuring
1.5 cm and pedicles measuring 1 cm in length were raised in the inguinal region. The
animals were divided into two groups. In Group A, flaps were re-sutured to the donor
beds without any rotation. In Group B, flaps were rotated 360°, applying the same
degree of torsion to their pedicles before re-suturing. After 7 days, the percentage
of surviving skin areas of the flaps was determined by planimetry, and transverse
sections of the flaps and pedicles were taken and evaluated in terms of signs of arterial
or venous insufficiency. Statistically significant differences between the groups
were determined by analyses using the multiple comparisons test. Pedicle torsion in
Group B did not affect flap viability, both macroscopically and microscopically. The
presented study shows that 360° torsion applied to the pedicle of the flap in this
model had no effect on flap viability.
KEYWORDS
Pedicle torsion - island skin flaps - rat model
REFERENCES
- 1
Khouri R K.
Free flap surgery: the second decade.
Clin Plast Surg.
1992;
19
757-761
- 2
Ozbek M R, Deune E G, Cooley B C, Khouri R K.
Experimental reproduction of free flap errors: a new model of thrombosis.
Ann Plast Surg.
1994;
32
474-477
- 3
Atchabahian A, Masquelet A C.
Experimental prevention of free flap thrombosis. I. A model of free flap failure.
Microsurgery.
1996;
17
710-713
- 4
Atchabahian A, Masquelet A C.
Experimental prevention of free flap thrombosis. II: Normovolemic hemodilution for
thrombosis prevention.
Microsurgery.
1996;
17
714-716
- 5
Izqiuerdo R, Dobrin P B, Fu K, Park F, Galante G.
The effect of twist on microvascular anastomotic patency and angiographic luminal
dimensions.
J Surg Res.
1998;
78
60-63
- 6
Salgarello M, Lahoud P, Selvaggi G, Gentileschi S, Sturla M, Farallo E.
The effect of twisting on microanastomotic patency of arteries and veins in a rat
model.
Ann Plast Surg.
2001;
47
643-646
- 7
Topalan M, Bilgin S S, Ip W Y, Chow S P.
Effect of torsion on microarterial anastomosis patency.
Microsurgery.
2003;
23
56-59
- 8
Kerrigan C L.
Skin flap failure: pathophysiology.
Plast Reconstr Surg.
1983;
72
766-777
- 9 Myers M B. Investigations of skin flap necrosis. In Grabb WC, Myers MB Skin Flaps
Boston; Little, Brown 1975: 3-10
- 10 Cormack G C, Lamberty BGH. The Arterial Anatomy of Skin Flaps, 2nd ed. Edinburgh;
Churchill Livingstone 1994: 47-69
- 11 Hartampf C R, Anton M A, Bried J T. Breast reconstruction with the transverse abdominal
island (TRAM) flap. In Georgiade GS, Riefkohl R, Levin LS Plastic, Maxillofacial and
Reconstructive Surgery, 3rd edition. Baltimore; Williams&Wilkins 1997: 786-797
- 12 Hartampf C R, Michelow B J, Casas L A. Concepts in TRAM flap design and execution. In
Hartrampf, CR Hartrampf's Breast Reconstruction with Living Tissue New York; Raven
1991: 47-70
- 13
Almeida M F, da Costa P R, Okawa R Y.
Reverse-flow island sural flap.
Plast Reconstr Surg.
2002;
109
583-591
- 14
Georgiade G S, Voci V E, Riefkohl R, Scheflan M.
Potential problems with the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in breast
reconstruction and how to avoid them.
Br J Plast Surg.
1984;
37
121-125
Serdar GokremM.D.
Azerbeycan Cad. 25/3
Bahçelievler, Ankara, Turkey