Intraoral coverage of defects with the superficial epigastric fat flap in rats

Abstract

The standard superficial epigastric artery flap has become a reliable model for flap research. The purpose of this study was to design a flap model in the rat, with the possibility of intraoral coverage of defects. A fat flap based only on the medial trunk of the superficial epigastric vessels was generated, raised to the neck, and used for the coverage of a created intraoral defect in 28 Sprague-Dawley rats. Twenty-five epigastric flaps were raised and anastomosed to the neck, and three flaps were sutured into the oral cavity as a control without anastomosing the vessels to the rat's neck. For histological examination, each of the five flaps was harvested after 7, 14, and 35 days. A total of five rats died perioperatively, and 23 rats survived. One epigastric fat flaps became necrotic, which attracted attention by dehiscence after 3 or 4 days postoperatively, consisting of one anastomosed and all nonvascularized flaps. A swollen cheek was noted in these cases after about 5 days. Although this model demands the control of basic microsurgical techniques, it is possible to use it as a training model for further refining microsurgical techniques in flap raising. It is planned to use this flap as a model for healing purposes in the oral cavity.

Comparison of Hyperspectral Imaging and Microvascular Doppler for Perfusion Monitoring of Free Flaps in an In Vivo Rodent Model

“…Vessel preparation is easy and is associated with little trauma to the animal, as their diameter is large enough for anastomosis with suture. In contrast to this experiment, even a complete removal of the flap, including the vascular pedicle with transplantation to the neck or into the mouth of the rat, can be performed, which, however, is associated with a higher complication rate due to a greater tissue trauma and a longer duration of surgery [ 47 ]. This was not necessary for the aim of this study and was therefore not carried out.…”

Volumetric changes in transplanted vascularized fat flaps after ischemic or congestive stresses and their relationship to capillary density in a zucker fatty rat model

“…The first novelty was the rat type used, Zucker‐ fa / fa rats. Superficial epigastric fat flaps have been commonly used in animal studies . Regular weekly measurements of the volume of these flaps (not weight) were planned using a micro focus X‐ray CT system under general anesthesia.…”

“…Superficial epigastric fat flaps based on the superficial inferior epigastric vessels were harvested through a midline skin incision from the epigastrium to the perineum . The epigastric fat pads were exposed and dissected free from the overlying skin and underlying abdominal wall musculature without damaging their vascular pedicles, which were easily identified.…”

Intraoral defect coverage with prelaminated epigastric fat flaps with human amniotic membrane in rats

“…The design of the study was divided into two parts: The first part included testing of defect coverage in the oral cavity with fresh HAM or polyglactin910/polydioxanon patch (Ethisorb®, Ethicon, Norderstedt, Germany). The second part investigated the effect of defect coverage with the epigastric fat flap of the rat, 24 on the one hand without prelamination of HAM and on the other hand treated by prelamination with HAM 7 days before defect coverage (“prelaminated group”) or prelamination immediately after flap insertion (“grafting group”; Figure 1).…”

“…The detailed procedure of the operation for anastomosis and defect closure has been already described. 24 The femoral vein was anastomosed with an end‐to‐side technique to the internal jugular vein and the epigastric artery anastomosed end‐to‐side to the common carotid artery. The flap was transferred into the oral cavity by tunneling below the masseter muscle and the mandible into the defect.…”