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To study a cutaneous flap in an animal model for platelet and leukocyte dynamics after ischemiareperfusion injury and to explain how such a model is relevant to the understanding of reconstructive flaps in a clinical setting.Methods: Cutaneous flaps based on the inferior epigastric artery were raised on C57BL/6 mice and were subjected to various periods of ischemia followed by reperfusion. We used intravital microscopy to observe and characterize platelet and leukocyte interactions within the microvasculature.Results: Platelet and leukocyte adherence to the microvasculature was greater after a longer reperfusion period in contrast to the adherence pattern seen after a shorter reperfusion period. Leukocyte rolling activity occurred at a greater rate after longer ischemia and shorter reperfusion periods, whereas the rate of platelet saltation occurred after shorter ischemia and longer reperfusion periods.Conclusions: With the establishment of an animal model of cutaneous flaps to study cellular dynamics within the microvasculature after ischemia-reperfusion injury, further investigation into the cellular and molecular characteristics of such injury and the analysis of pharmacological interventions is warranted.