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Accelerated flap prefabrication with vascular endothelial growth factor
1Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029-6574, USA.
Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery
|February 11, 2000
Summary
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) application significantly improved prefabricated flap survival in rats. This promotes faster flap maturation, potentially expanding reconstructive surgery options.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Vascular Biology
- Plastic Surgery
Background:
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes angiogenesis and tissue revascularization.
- VEGF's potential to enhance skin flap viability is recognized.
- Prefabricated flaps offer reconstructive potential but require maturation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of topical recombinant human VEGF in accelerating prefabricated flap viability in a rat model.
- To assess VEGF's impact on flap maturation and survival rates.
Main Methods:
- 48 Sprague-Dawley rats underwent prefabricated flap creation with an anastomosed tail artery loop.
- Flaps were topically treated with either VEGF or a control solution (NaCl or PVA gel).
- Flap survival was quantified by planimetry 7 days after elevation at 3, 4, and 5 weeks.
Main Results:
- VEGF-treated flaps showed significantly improved survival rates compared to controls at 5 weeks (66.7% vs. 17.5%).
- Mean skin survival at 5 weeks was 66.7% in the VEGF group versus 17.5% in the control group (p=0.02).
- VEGF application accelerated flap maturation and viability.
Conclusions:
- Topical VEGF application significantly enhances the viability and maturation of prefabricated flaps.
- This VEGF-mediated approach may broaden the clinical utility of flap prefabrication in reconstructive surgery.
- Further research could explore VEGF's role in clinical reconstructive procedures.