The Use of Vascularized Fascia as Carrier in Cases of Prelaminated Fasciocartilaginous and Osseofascial Flaps

Abstract

Background This experimental study investigates the use of vascularized fascia as carrier for prelaminated cartilage and bone flaps. Methods A total of 30 male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into two equal groups (A and B). The fascia surrounding the inguinal fat and superficial inferior epigastric vessels was dissected. In group A, the fascia was wrapped around a template (20 × 40 mm) of cartilage harvested from the rabbit's ear. In group B, the fascia was wrapped around a 15 × 35 mm piece of rib cortical bone. After a maturation period of 4 weeks, group A was subdivided into three groups (A1, A2, and A3). In group A1 (six animals) the animals were sacrificed and the flaps were sent for histological examination, in A2 (six animals) the flaps were rotated 180 degrees and anchored at knee level, and in A3 (two animals) the flaps were transferred as free flaps to the right SIE (superficial inferior epigastric vessels). The animals of subgroups A2 and A3 were sacrificed after another maturation period of 2 weeks and the flaps were sent for histological examination. After a maturation period of 6 weeks, group B was subdivided into three subgroups (B1, B2, and B3) corresponding to the cartilage subgroups. Subgroups B2 and B3 were sacrificed after 2 weeks. Results All flaps of groups A and B demonstrated good viability apart from one specimen of subgroup B2. Angiogenesis was present in all groups. Conclusion Meticulously dissected vascularized fascia can be successfully used for prelamination of complex fasciocartilaginous or osseofascial flaps. The required maturation periods are 4 and 6 weeks, respectively.

Repair of Large Segmental Bone Defect using Vascularized Small Corticocancellous Bone in Rabbit Femur

“…64 Tsagarakis et al also said that vascularized fascia has angiogenic capacity, and it can be used as carrier for prelaminated bone flaps. 63 Both the vascularized periosteum with osteoconductive or osteoinductive agents and the prelaminated bone enveloped in vascularized fascial flap can be used for bone reconstruction. However, the differences between them and our PVSCB is that the PVSCB itself is composite flap which has both vascularized periosteum and corticocancellous bone (osteoinductive or osteoconductive agent) together and has strong osteogenic and sufficient angiogenic capacity enough to reconstruct even though critical-sized bone defect.…”