Effects of endothelial cell growth factor on vascular compromised skin flaps

Angiogenic growth factors have the potential to accelerate vascularization in soft tissue. This study explored the vascular effects of endothelial cell growth factor (1800 micrograms/mL) with heparin (7 micrograms/mL) in gelatin sponge (Gelfoam) in two settings of vascular compromise. On days 2 and 3 ligated skin flaps in the rabbit ear model, peripheral neovascularization, and flap viability were quantitatively documented by digital angiographic analysis and by polar planimetry. The mean flap viability of the treated flaps was two times greater than their controls in the day 2 (N = 24) and day 3 ligation groups (N = 22). The angiograms among the treated flaps in the day 2 ligation group also demonstrated a quantitative increase in vascularization compared with their controls. These results suggest a provocative means for accelerating neovascularization and enhancing viability to vascular compromised skin flaps.