Flaps nourished by arterial inflow through the venous system: an experimental investigation.

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.