Myocutaneous free-flap transfer. Anatomical and experimental considerations.

If there is a strongly dominant vascular pedicle, a muscle may be suitable for transfer as a free myocutaneous flap. The minor vascular pedicle(s) may contribute significantly to the arterial blood flow to the overlying skin, however. The concept of doing a delay procedure (ligating the dominant pedicle) to increase the survival of the skin component of a free myocutaneous flap is explored.