Combined semimembranosus muscle and epigastric skin flap: a new model of composite-free flap in the rat.

Abstract

We present a new model of combined semimembranosus muscle and epigastric skin free flap based on a single pedicle consisting of the muscular branch of semimembranosus muscle and superficial epigastric vessels in continuity with femoral vessels. In 10 rats, the anatomy of the semimembranosus muscle was studied in detail. The mean length of the muscle was 38 mm and width was 11 mm. The mean weight of the muscle was 1.03 g. The mean external diameter of the femoral artery was 1 mm and vein was 1.2 mm. Eight combined semimembranosus/epigastric skin flaps were dissected and transferred into the neck and contralateral groin regions with 100% success rate. This model of combined muscle and skin flap has several advantages. It is reliable, versatile, easy to dissect with long vascular pedicle and adequate vessel diameter for the anastomoses. It can be used for different applicability, including microcirculatory, pharmacologic, physiological, biochemical, and immunologic studies.