Increased flap survival after sensory denervation with capsaicin accompanied by delay

The effect of capsaicin, combined with delayed surgical procedures, was studied in adult rats. After denervation of the experimental subjects' cutaneous nerves with capsaicin, the time required for the flaps to become completely necrotic was prolonged; when accompanied by delayed flap raising for a period of up to eight weeks, the flap survival rate was increased. Although there were no significant differences in flap survival between the control and the capsaicin animals undergoing flap raising with no delay, increased vascularity and flap survival were confirmed in capsaicin animals in whom procedures had been delayed. Maximum flap survival was found in capsaicin animals undergoing a six-week delay in the procedures. These results suggest that sensory nerves play an important role in flap survival, perhaps in the areas of flap vascular supply and tension control of the A-V shunt in the microcirculation of a flap.