A new free flap model in the rat: the pectoralis major muscle.

We have designed a rat pectoralis muscle free flap transplant at the level of the pubis. The first choice of arterial pedicle was the thoraco-acromial artery at the level of its branching from the axillary artery. The venous pedicle was the thoraco-acrominal vein. This first technique was attempted on six rats with several failures due to the small diameter of the axillary artery. For this reason, we were obliged to use the axillary vessels. This new technique was performed in 10 rats with positive results in nine cases. The new transplantation of the pectoralis major muscle flap with nerve may be attempted.