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The latissimus dorsi muscle (LD) has been the subject of numerous studies, especially because of its variety of possible applications in plastic and reconstructive surgery. The clinical use of functional electrical stimulation (FES) and cardiomyoplasty has raised completely new questions in recent years. It was the aim of our study to find an optimal model for animal experiments for this cardiosurgical method, in which the LD is completely removed from its origin and transferred into the thorax. For this purpose, we compared the LD's arterial supply in animals used in experimental surgery, the sheep, dog, and pig, with the LD's supply in human. For studying the arteries of the LD macroscopically and by X-ray, we used an injection solution of latex and barium sulfate. After injection of the solution the vascularization was photographically documented. Subsequently, the muscle was detached from the neurovascular pedicle and prepared for radiological examination of the arterial vascularization. The planimetric computer-assisted identification of the various areas supplied by arterial branches was based on these radiograms. In order to also assess the weight of the supplied parts, the muscles were gravimetrically analyzed. The study showed that the blood supply in pig is very similar to that of man. This species, therefore, would be best suited for experimental cardiomyoplasty. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
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