[A method for quantifying vessel anastomosis in skin flap].

Objective: To present a method for quantifying the anastomosis between two vessels based on angiograpy and provide a theoretical basis for vascular study in skin flap.
Methods: Ten bilateral skin flaps of 20 cm x 20 cm based on deep iliac circumflex vessels were elevated from the abdominal wall including musculus rectus abdominis and deep superior epigastric vessels in 5 minipigs which were 100-115 cm in length and 25-35 kg in weight. One side was inserted an expander under the panniculus carnosus and was expanded regularly with 30-40 ml isotonic Na chloride injection (expanded group) and the other was unexpanded group which were without any treatment. A X-ray image of the flap vessles was obtained after a gelatin-lead oxide mixture was carotid arterially injected and 24 hours of cryopreservation of the body. Three parallel lines with equal interval perpendicular to long axis of the two vessels were designed at the communication area. Vessel anastomosis quantifying was determined by counting the number of marks derived from the intersections of the lines and the vessels and statistical analysis was carried out.
Results: The mark of intersection in expanded group (81.20+/-10.33) was more than that in unexpanded group (22.40+/-5.41), showing significant difference (P<0.01).
Conclusion: The method for quantifying vessel anastomosis in skin flap is simple, reliable, and easy-to-perform. The principles of this procedure may also be applied to other experimental and clinical studies.