Prefabricated osteocutaneous neural island flap model

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Plastic Surgery
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Neural-based flaps offer a promising alternative for complex reconstructions, preserving major arteries and avoiding microsurgery.
• Their increasing popularity stems from unique advantages in challenging clinical scenarios.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of prefabricating an osteocutaneous neural island flap model.
• To establish a method for creating composite flaps reliant on nerve vascularity.

Main Methods:

• A peripheral nerve was implanted into a rat skin flap, connected to a bone segment via a soft-tissue bridge.
• A two-step delay period was employed to facilitate flap prefabrication.
• Evaluation included direct observation, microangiography, and detailed histological analysis.

Main Results:

• Successful prefabrication of an osteocutaneous composite flap was achieved.
• The flap's vascular supply was confirmed to be derived from the intrinsic vasculature of the implanted peripheral nerve.
• Histological analysis supported the qualitative and quantitative assessments of flap viability.

Conclusions:

• The study validates the possibility of prefabricating an osteocutaneous composite flap using a peripheral nerve's vascularity.
• Further experimental research is warranted to advance the clinical application of this novel flap technique.