Dynamic vascular changes in free skin grafts.

Vascular changes in full-thickness skin grafts in rats were examined at various intervals after grafting using microangiography. The grafted skin and its bed showed dynamic vascular changes that were considered to be related to release of an " angiogenetic factor" produced by the skin under oxygen-deficient conditions such as ischemia. The first filling of contrast medium in the grafts was observed 24 hours after grafting. Both primary and secondary revascularization were observed.