| Research Abstract |
Musculocutaneous flaps were prepared one week after delayd operation on the pectralis major of rats, and two models were prepared, a nerve-preserved group and a denervated group. Five specimens each were collected at 24 and 48 hours, every week for one to 8 weeks and monthly for 3 to 6 months after preparation of the flaps.
Morphological studies by light and electron microscopy and assay of non-collagen protein (NCP) were performed on a total of 140 specimens, ATPase stain was performed and histogram of the muscle were prepared. Sequential changes of the muscle in musculocutaneous flaps in rats were observed in nerve-preserved groups and denervated groups, and the following points were suggested.
1) In musculocutaneous flaps, the muscle of both nerve-preserved groups and denervated group will degenerated
2) In the muscle of nerve-preserved groups, atrophy and degeneration were observed at 24 hours, but regeneration were observed at 1-4 weeks, and atrophy was again recognized form 7 weeks.
3) In the muscle of denervated groups, atrophy and degeneration appeared from after 24 hours and had progressed gradually.
4) The degenerations in denervated groups were about 2 months faster those in nerve-preserved groups.
5) The muscle fibers in musclocutaneous flaps finally were replaced by fatty tissue.
6) The results of NCP measurements suggested that the values of nerve-preserved groups, and the values almost corresponded to morphological changes.
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