Cutaneous blood vessels in scent pigs

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Anatomy
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Accurate anatomical data on cutaneous blood vessels is essential for advancing flap research in plastic surgery.
• Understanding the vascular architecture of potential animal models is critical for reliable experimental outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically map the cutaneous vasculature of the pig for flap research.
• To identify and describe the vascular systems and plexuses within the skin.
• To evaluate the suitability of the pig as an animal model for plastic surgery flap studies.

Main Methods:

• Anesthetic euthanasia of seven pigs.
• Intubation and injection of carotid vessels with black liquid rubber.
• Removal and processing of integument, including transparency and cross-sectioning.
• Recording of perforating points and identification of vascular structures.

Main Results:

• Identified three types of cutaneous vascular sources, similar to humans.
• Described six division levels of skin vessels forming five vascular plexuses.
• Characterized two main vascular systems (perforating and cutaneous) and two vein systems (concomitant and oscillating).
• Emphasized preserved vascular plexus in thin flaps and location-dependent vascular structure.

Conclusions:

• The pig's cutaneous vascular structure provides a morphological basis for flap selection in research.
• Two novel flaps (arterial loop and intermuscular septal perforator) were introduced for experimental use.
• Despite variations, the pig remains a suitable model for plastic surgery flap research.