In order to observe the effect of far infrared rays on the survival of skin flap, the following experiment was performed. Forty-eight SD rats were selected and divided into two groups. The rats received 0.3 w/cm2 radiation twice a day from 3 days before operation to 5 days after operation in the experimental group, while in the control group the rats received none before or after the operation. The flap was designed as 2 cm x 6 cm in the back of the rats with the pedicle caudalward. The microcirculatory changes of the flap were observed, and the survival area of the flap was calculated. The results showed that either in the proximal or in the distal part of the graft, in the experimental group, the mean opening rate, diameter and the flowing velocity of the microvessels were significantly higher than those in the control group (P lt; 0. 05). The mean rate of survival area of the experimental group (80.5%) was also higher than that of the control group (62.7%) (P lt; 0.01). It was suggested that radiation with far infrared rays could dilate the microvessels, improve the flap microcirculation, therefore, enhance the survival of the randomized skin flap.
OBJECTIVE: To study the availability of transplantation of anterolateral femoral skin flap with absence of the first branch of musculocutaneous artery. METHODS: One hundred and sixty cases of anterolateral femoral skin flap transplantation in the past 15 years were reviewed, to investigate the relationship between the outcome of the transplantation and the types, distribution, original point, diameter of blood vessels. Among the 160 cases, there were 10 cases, 6.3% in total, of skin flap transplantation with the pedicle of high site direct cutaneous femoral artery, ranging from 10 cm x 14 cm to 12 cm x 18 cm in size, applied to repair soft tissue defect. RESULTS: There were 149 cases, among the 160 cases, survived and all the 10 cases of femoral skin flap transplantation with high site anterolateral cutaneous artery survived. CONCLUSION: The femoral skin flap with high site anterolateral cutaneous artery has good blood supply, larger size available, and easier operation. When the first branch of descending anterolateral femoral artery is absent, the femoral skin flap with high site anterolateral cutaneous artery is an optimal alternative.