Pedicled or free flap transfer of the gracilis muscle in rats.

The vascularization of the gracilis muscle of the rat is oriented mainly along the longitudinal axis of the muscle and arises from a muscular artery originating in the femoral artery. Transillumination study of the muscle after vascular injection with Microfil demonstrated this anatomic disposition. The gracilis muscle was used either as a pedicled transfer or as a free flap with anastomoses placed on the femoral pedicle. Average weight of the muscle before transfer was 429 mg. The cutaneous area of the muscular artery could be used to monitor the flap or to accomplish a composite myocutaneous transfer. This muscle flap is a versatile and reliable model for experimental study of muscle transfer in rats.