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Updated: Apr 4, 2026
A Pre-clinical Rat Model for the Study of Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Reconstructive Microsurgery
Published on: November 8, 2019
Intra and postoperative evaluations of microcirculation and micro-rheological parameters in a rat model of
Zoltan Klarik1, Robert Tamas2, Eniko Toth3
1Institute of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, HU.
Purpose:
To examine how the ischemia-reperfusion injury of latissimus dorsi-cutaneous maximus (LDCM) musculocutaneous flap affects the microcirculatory (flap's skin surface) and hemorheological parameters, and whether an intraoperative deterioration would predictively suggest flap failure in the postoperative period.
Methods:
Ten healthy male rats were subjected to the study. In Group I the left flap was sutured back after 2-hour, while the contralateral side was right after its elevation. In Group II the same technique was applied, but the pedicle of the left flap was atraumatically clamped for 2-hour. The contralateral side was left intact. On the flap skin surface laser Doppler tissue flowmetry measurements were done before and after and during the protocols applied in the groups. Microcirculatory and hemorheological examinations were done postoperatively.
Results:
The microcirculatory parameters significantly decreased during immobilization and ischemia. Afterwards, all the regions showed normalization. In the retrospective analysis there was a prominent difference between the microcirculatory parameters of necrotic and survived flap during the early postoperative days (1-3) in Group II. Erythrocyte aggregation and deformability showed only slight differences.
Conclusions:
Two-hour ischemia and reperfusion caused deterioration in latissimus dorsi-cutaneous maximus flap microcirculation. Predicting the possible postoperative complication, the intraoperative laser Doppler measurement can be informative.
Insights
Ischemia-reperfusion injury significantly impacts latissimus dorsi-cutaneous maximus (LDCM) flap microcirculation. Intraoperative laser Doppler measurements can predict postoperative flap failure, aiding in early intervention for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Microcirculation Research
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Latissimus dorsi-cutaneous maximus (LDCM) musculocutaneous flaps are crucial in reconstructive surgery.
- Understanding ischemia-reperfusion injury is vital for flap survival.
- Microcirculatory and hemorheological parameters are key indicators of flap health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury on LDCM flap microcirculation and hemorheology.
- To determine if intraoperative microcirculatory changes predict postoperative flap failure.
Main Methods:
- Ten healthy male rats underwent LDCM flap elevation with a 2-hour ischemia period in one group.
- Laser Doppler tissue flowmetry measured microcirculation intraoperatively.
- Postoperative microcirculatory and hemorheological assessments were performed.
Main Results:
- Microcirculatory parameters decreased during ischemia but normalized post-reperfusion.
- Significant differences in microcirculation were observed between surviving and necrotic flaps in the early postoperative period.
- Erythrocyte aggregation and deformability showed minimal changes.
Conclusions:
- Two-hour ischemia and reperfusion significantly impair LDCM flap microcirculation.
- Intraoperative laser Doppler measurements are informative for predicting postoperative flap complications.
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