Improved reflow and viability in reperfused ischemic rat island groin flaps using dexamethasone

Reperfusion injury and the no-reflow phenomenon are manifestations of a complex series of events that culminate in an acute inflammatory reaction within reperfused tissue. Antiinflammatory therapy attenuates ischemia-reperfusion injury. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of dexamethasone on blood flow and viability of ischemic rat island groin flaps. Thirty-three mature male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups. The flaps were subjected to 8 hr of ischemia in the control and treatment groups. Fluorescein studies were performed, and flap viability was assessed. Twenty-four hour fluorescence (after reperfusion) correlated very closely with the percentage of eventual flap viability. The blood flow and viability of the treatment group flaps were significantly better than those in the ischemic control group. Dexamethasone significantly improved ischemic flap survival in the rat 8 hr ischemic island groin flap model in our study.