Reimplantation of isolated skin flaps in dogs with circulation maintained through artificial heparinized shunts

In an experimental study in dogs, skin flaps with an axial vascular pattern were completely isolated and reimplanted. Circulation was maintained through arterial and venous shunts using silicone rubber tubes or heparinized polyethylene tubes. Six out of 8 flaps healed uneventfully. In 4 of the surviving flaps, both the artery and the vein were shunted. Only the artery was shunted in two of the flaps.