Prefabrication of free flaps using the omeimtum in rats

The omentum used as a vascular carrier is a new experimental model for prefabrication of free flaps in the rat. A 2.5 × 4 cm patch of omentum with gastroepiploic vessels and its rich vascular arcades was transferred under a bipedicled 2.5 ± 6 cm right abdominal panniculocutaneous flap. At subse quent time intervals (postoperative days 0, 3, 5, 7, and 14), the skin pedicles were divided and the skin flap was raised as a composite island flap vascu‐larized only by the underlying omental patch. The composite flap was then sutured back in place. Prefabricated flaps examined postoperatively demon strated a dye fluorescence index (DPI) of 4.60% ± 2.82% and 1.67% ± 4.08% flap survival (FS) in the day 0 group; in the day 3 group, 9.83% ± 1.47% of DFI and 15.00% ± 10.35% of FS; in the day 5 group, 28.39% ± 5.25% of DFI and 86.0% ± 12.74% of FS ( P <0.05); in the day 7 group, 38.19% ± 7.52% of DFI and 98.13% ± 3.72% of FS ( P <0.05); and, in the day 14 group, 49.55% ± 6.70% of DFI and 100% of FS ( P <0.05). India‐ink injection and histologic examination confirmed revascularization of the overlying skin by day 5. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.