OBJECTIVETo reconstruct a simpler and reliable composite tissue transplantation model-the femur osteomyocutaneous flap for the replacement of hindlimb transplantation.

METHODSTen femur osteomyocutaneous flaps from 5 Lewis rats were transplanted into 10 syngeneic recipients' inguinal region. Their nutrient vessels were anastomosed with recipients vessels. The graft of this model was consisted of the groin flap and partial femur. To verify the feasibility of this model, gross and histological appearance were studied after transplantation to evaluate the viability of grafts.

RESULTSThe operative time was (159.0 +/- 8.3) min with the harvesting time of (68.0 +/- 4.8) min and the ischemia time of (55. 8 +/- 6.8) min. The methylene blue injection showed rich blood supply of transplanted femur osteomyocutaneous flap. All the 10 flaps survived completely with pink skin color and hair regrowth. The histologic examination of the flaps also revealed the normal appearance of the viable skin and bone marrow.

CONCLUSIONSThe femur osteomyocutaneous flap is a simple and reliable model for composite tissue transplantation, and its establishment will provide a new tool for the study of composite tissue allografts.