Fig. 1

Construction of superficial inferior epigastric (SIEA) flaps transfected with LV-CMV-CDglyTK in a Sprague-Dawley rat model. (upper left panel) The SIEA flap was designed with a 2.5 × 2.5-cm skin paddle. (upper middle panel and upper right panel) The SIEA flap was dissected carefully as described previously. (lower left panel) After the flap pedicle was divided, the afferent artery to the flap was catheterized with a 0.4 mm micro cannula. (lower middle panel) After perfusion of recombinant virus or phosphate-buffered saline through the afferent artery and incubated, the native vessels of the flap were re-anastomosed. (lower right panel) The flap was oriented in its original position in the groin and the skin incisions were closed