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Updated: Aug 25, 2026

An Experimental Human DIEP Flap Model to Investigate Preservation Strategies for Vascularized Composite Allografts and Free Flaps
Published on: December 5, 2025
[A clinical study of flap necrosis protection with dexamethasone]
Jing-min Cao1, Biao Wang, Kai-hua Lu
1Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
Objective:
This clinical study was to find an effective method to prevent flap from necrosis.
Methods:
When a flap showed blood flow problems, dexamethasone of 0.3 mg/kg was given intravenously for 2 days. Then the dose was decreased to 0.2 mg/kg at the third and the fourth day. At the fifth and the sixth day, dexamethasone of 0.1 mg/kg was given.
Results:
A total of 51 flaps with blood flow problems was treated with this method. Thirty of them recovered completely; 18 survived mostly and 3 failed.
Conclusion:
Early application of dexamethasone can effectively ameliorate blood flow problems of the flap.
