Neural influences on experimental flap survival

We have constructed a consistent, reproducible experimental model for the study of skin flap survival consisting of paired flaps that are identical except for the presence or absence of innervation. While the denervated flap survived to only 70 percent of its original length, the innervated flap survived completely in all cases. We then studied the effect of adrenergic innervation on flap survival by performing a chemical sympathectomy using 6-hydroxydopamine. We observed that loss of sympathetic innervation, as measured by absence of piloerection and catecholamine fluorescent staining, resulted in flap necrosis even in the presence of intact somatic and sensory function. We have concluded that the observed differences in survival between the innervated and denervated flaps appear to be dependent at least in part of the presence or absence of noradrenergic regulation of the microcirculation within the flaps.