Endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF) application to irradiated soft tissue

Delayed postoperative wound healing in previously radiated cancer patients is a common and debilitating occurrence. Prior studies have given evidence that endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF) can accelerate neovascularization in soft tissue. To explore its effects in irradiated tissue, an ECGF-heparin formulation (7200 micrograms/mL) contained in Gelfoam was applied to previously irradiated (N = 38) and nonirradiated skin flaps (N = 38) on rabbit ears. Both peripheral neovascularization and flap viability were quantitatively documented by polar planimetry and digital angiography in all flaps. The ECGF-heparin flaps had a greater than twofold increase in both vascularity and viability when compared to their controls among the irradiated and nonirradiated flaps (P < .01). Also, the additional viability and vascularization effects from ECGF-heparin did not appear statistically altered by previous radiation. These results support the promising angiogenic effect of ECGF-heparin in previously irradiated surgical wounds.