Thigh adductor flap: an experimental model for free flap transfer in the rat.

A new model of rat muscle free flap transfer is presented. The flap is based on a long pedicle originating from the femoral vessels and continuing down to the distal saphenous margin at the ankle. The distal portion of the semitendinosus muscle is harvested along with the saphenous artery and great saphenous vein. A larger muscle flap may be harvested by including the distal portions of the posterior and anterior gracilis muscles. The flap can be transferred to remote sites on the animal, with a vascular pedicle of up to 3 cm in length. The diameters of the vessels repaired are of standard microsurgical size. This model has distinct advantages of simplicity, speed of dissection, high success rate after microvascular transfer, and versatility in placement of the muscle mass (due to the long pedicle).