ABSTRACT
An axial-pattern rat skin flap based on the caudal femoral artery is described with
orthotopic and heterotopic island flap transfers. Free-tissue transfers could also
be carried out based on the common femoral artery. Since the pedicle is very small,
instead of selective dye injection, a nonselective dye injection was utilized, elevating
a very large island skin flap based on the caudal femoral artery. This flap model
can provide an alternative opportunity to study the physiology of skin flaps and for
training in the basic principles of plastic surgery, including microsurgical practice,
with a more challenging model.
