Observations on experimental revascularization of the kidney; a preliminary report.

In 1951 our attention was directed to the revascularization potential of a tubed pedicle flap of skin and subcutaneous tissue. 1 It has long been known by plastic surgeons that such a flap is capable of bringing new blood supply to an ischemic area on the body surface. 2 This is possible because of the development of anastomotic channels between the vessels of the flap and those of the ischemic tissues to which the flap is attached. Therefore, the flap may be thought of as a framework or strut serving, through its intrinsic vessels, to transport blood from one area of the body to another. With these thoughts in mind, a series of experiments was undertaken to determine the ability of such a flap to bring blood to a visceral circulation. Primary interest focused on the heart because of the clinical usefulness of the procedure if such revascularization could be