Viability of randomized skin flaps-an experimental study in rats

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Tissue Engineering
• Wound Healing

Background:

• Randomized skin flaps are crucial in plastic surgery but prone to necrosis.
• Necrosis in skin flaps remains a significant clinical challenge.
• Research is ongoing to identify interventions that improve flap survival.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of pentoxifylline (PTX) and hyaluronidase (HLD), individually and in combination, in reducing necrosis in randomized rat skin flaps.
• To assess the impact of PTX and HLD on flap viability and histological parameters.

Main Methods:

• Fifty male Wistar rats were allocated into five groups: control (I and II), PTX, HLD, and PTX-HLD.
• Substances were administered daily for 14 days post-surgery.
• Necrotic area was quantified on days 7 and 14; histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed.

Main Results:

• Both PTX and HLD, alone or combined, significantly reduced necrotic area on days 7 and 14 compared to controls.
• PTX and PTX-HLD groups showed reduced dermis cellularity, macrophage, and myofibroblast presence.
• PTX treatment significantly increased blood vessel lumen volume (L_V) compared to all other groups.

Conclusions:

• Pentoxifylline and hyaluronidase, administered alone or together, enhance randomized skin flap viability.
• PTX alone improved blood vessel L_V, while the combination (PTX-HLD) was more effective in reducing cellularity and macrophage infiltration.