Venous flaps and perivenous areolar tissue: an experimental study in rats.

Since plastic surgeons are continually looking for new possibilities for the clinical transfer of tissue, they are very interested in investigating capillary blood flow. Recently, several authors have investigated the role of veins in experimental island venous flaps. In the present study, the authors attempt to clarify the importance of plasmatic imbibition and perivenous tissue as single nourishment sources in experimental island skin flaps deprived of arteries, and consisting of both axial and random zones. This study demonstrates the importance of perivenous areolar tissue in flap survival; the "initial plasmatic imbibition" was not able to keep the flaps viable. Due to the previously demonstrated presence of small arteries in the pedicle of "venous flaps," these flaps should no longer be considered as purely venous. In the reported rat model, it was not possible to harvest a flap without arterial inflow.