An experimental study of the venous flap: investigation of the recipient vein

In previous studies using rabbit ears, total venous perfusion flaps (TVPF) were used that did not contain in the experimental model any chosen arteries truly representative of clinical venous flaps. We discovered that the TVPF could survive even under conditions of poor blood circulation. In the present study, conditions of the recipient veins were investigated using flow-through veins in TVPFs of rabbit ears and human dorsal digital veins. The research suggested that conditions for TVPF survival are a high density of the venous network in the flap and the presence of venous oscillation, high oxygen tension, and effective blood flow in the recipient vein.