Flaps Nourished by Arterial Inflow Through the Venous System

Using the abdominal skin flap of rats, we showed that the arterial inflow through the venous system nourished the distal part of a flap and also worked as a pedicle of an island flap and a free flap. The position of the arteriovenous anastomosis and the draining vein seems important. This study implies that delay produces arterial inflow as a consequence.