J Reconstr Microsurg 2016; 32(04): 301-308
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1571250
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

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

Myron Tsagarakis
1   Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, ENI Medical Group, Corfu, Greece
,
Georgia-Alexandra Spyropoulou
2   Plastic Surgery Clinic, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
,
Efstathios Lykoudis
3   Plastic Surgery Clinic, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
,
Apostolos Papalois
4   Department of Research and Development, “ELPEN” Pharmaceuticals, Pikermi, Greece
,
Antonis Tsimponis
2   Plastic Surgery Clinic, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
,
Constantina Fragia
5   Histobio Diagnosis, Athens, Greece
,
Thomais Iconomou
6   Private Practice, Athens, Greece
,
Othon Papadopoulos
7   Plastic Surgery Clinic, Kapodistriakon University of Athens, Athens, Greece
› Institutsangaben
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Publikationsverlauf

23. Juli 2015

15. November 2015

Publikationsdatum:
12. Februar 2016 (online)

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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.