ABSTRACT
In the present study, the phenomenon of “plasmatic imbibition” was investigated histologically
in a rabbit flow-through venous flap model, using horseradish peroxidase and fluorescein.
Horseradish perox-idase introduced between the flap and the recipient bed, produced
brown staining of the entire contact surface 10 min postoperatively. At 30 min, erythrocytes
in the flow-through vein stained red. The flap and the erythrocytes became more intensely
stained over time. When horseradish peroxidase was introduced from a central artery
after a Silastic sheet had been inserted between the flap and recipient bed, the flap
color became a soft brown and the erythrocytes of the flow-through vein stained red
10 min postoperatively.
In the experimental groups subjected to fluorescein, introduced between the graft
(or flap) and the recipient bed, fluorescence was seen 10 min postoperatively, except
in the flow-through vein. At 30 and 120 min, the whole graft (or flap) showed fluorescence.
Fluorescein was introduced into the femoral vein after flap elevation, or a Silastic
sheet was inserted between the flap and the recipient bed. At 10 min, these groups
showed a weak fluorescence only in the flow-through vein; subsequently, at 120 min,
the flow-through vein and its surrounding tissue showed fluorescence, but the flap
showed none.
Plasmatic imbibition was proved to be acting in the flow-through vein, and it is considered
as important a phenomenon in flap survival as venous flow itself.
