Background. Distal ischemia and necrosis of the dog
latissimus dorsi muscle flap used in experimental cardiomyoplasty
have been reported. However, little information
on the intramuscular vascular anatomy of the dog
latissimus dorsi is available. It is unclear whether there
are any anatomic factors relating to the muscle flap
ischemia and necrosis, and whether the dog latissimus
dorsi is a suitable experimental model.