The Abdominal Adipofascial Flap

Introduction: The peripheral adipose tissue is a vital component of many procedures in reconstructive and esthetic surgery. There is a limited knowledge on hemodynamic changes of adipose tissue. A direct intravital microscopic observation method is needed for the measurement of microcirculatory changes occurring in peripheral fat tissue during different plastic surgical procedures. Here we are introducing a model allowing for the direct in vivo monitoring and measurements of microcirculatory hemodynamics of peripheral adipose tissue. Methods: Eight male Lewis rats weighing between 150 and 180 g were used in this study. Eight abdominal adipofascial flaps based on the left femoral artery, vein, and nerve were dissected after excision of the skin of the groin and lower abdominal region. Flap angiography using Indian ink was performed to demonstrate vascular anatomy of the flap. Standard intravital microscopy was used to monitor hemodynamic parameters such as vascular diameters, functional capillary perfusion, and leukocyte-endothelial interactions. Results: Under direct intravital microscopy, microcirculatory parameters including vascular diameters, capillary perfusion, and leukocyte-endothelial interaction behaviors of the abdominal adipofascial flaps were established. Conclusions: We have showed feasibility of monitoring microcirculatory hemodynamics of the abdominal adipofascial flap model in rat. This model can be applied for intravital recordings of peripheral adipose tissue physiology and in different research scenarios such as the effects of ischemia reperfusion injury, effects of surgical trauma and wound healing studies with application of different pharmacologic agents and treatment protocols.