[The biomechanical characteristics of the fasciocutaneous flap during healing phases]

Pedicled fasciocutaneous and ordinary flaps, with the ratio of length to width of 2.5:1, were elevated on the lateral side of either hind limb in 6 pigs. Postoperatively the strength at the healing site was greatly lower than that of the normal skin and much lower at the distal part of the flaps. In the fasciocutaneous flap, the strength was stronger than that of the ordinary flap at the corresponding sites. The healing strength increased with time. At the end of the fourth postoperative week, there were no obvious differences of healing strength between different sites in the fasciocutaneous flap. Yet the healing strength was still weaker at distal part in the ordinary flap. The stress-strain curves shifted to left in both flaps. There were no obvious differences between the proximal and distal sites in fasciocutaneous flap but there was difference in the ordinary flap. With good biomechanical characteristics in healing strength and flexibility, the fasciocutaneous flap is suitable for repairing soft tissue defects in complicated or special area, but attention should be paid to the limitation to ratio of the length to width.