Blood flow measurements in skin flaps.

For the last 50 years, the empirical approach of set length to width ratios for skin flaps has been held valid. Not until Milton's work in 1971 was this concept challenged. This report represents a method where precise, reproducible, and quantitative measurements of skin blood flow can be made using four radioactive nuclide microspheres and measures the blood flow changes in flaps of differing length to width ratios. Conclusions from our data suggest that the cutaneous blood flow in ventrally based, abdominal skin flaps in dogs is independent of base width as measured immediately after outlining and elevation.