[Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) accelerates maturation of prefabricated flap]

To investigate the value of application of recombinant human VEGF to accelerate flap viability in a rat model of non-ischemic prefabricated flap.

Prefabricated Flaps were created in 48 SD rats. An autologous tail artery loop was anastomosed to the femoral artery and vein, and implanted subcutaneously in the lower abdomen. Flaps were divided into four groups of 12 each. At the time of loop implantation, the control groups received 0.9% NaCl (Control 1) and 16% (V/W) polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution (Control 2). The treatment groups received VEGF in 0.9% NaCl (treatment 1) and VEGF in PVA (treatment 2). In each group, a 3 cm x 4 cm flap nurtured by the tail artery pedicle was elevated and resutured into place after 3, 4 and 5 weeks. The percentage of surviving skin of each flap was determined by planimetry 7 days after flap elevation.

Mean skin survival areas at 3, 4, and 5 weeks were 1%, 0%, 10% in control; 0%, 16%, 25% in control 2; 3.57%, 39.13%, 75.00% in treatment 1; 8.13%, 41.98%, 58.41% in treatment 2. VEGF significantly improved flap survival by 5 weeks (P < 0.05).

These results suggest VEGF can accelerate maturation of prefabricated flaps.