Experimental evaluation of tissue revascularization using a transferred muscular-vascular pedicle.

Skin and cartilage can be revascularized from a transferred muscular-vascular pedicle. Muscle vessels appear to connect with existing vessels in the subdermal plexus or perichondrium and determine the ultimate distribution of the skin or cartilage revascularized. The ideal timing for flap elevation following revascularization in this model is 21 to 28 days following transfer. Isolation of the muscular-vascular pedicle from underlying tissue by a silicone sheet does not appear to augment tissue revascularization. Delay procedures do not improve surviving flap length. Composite flaps of cartilage and skin can be revascularized using this technique.