Effect of parenteral pentoxifylline and topical nitroglycerin on skin flap survival

Flap necrosis is still a significant complication in all types of flap surgery. The effect of parenteral pentoxifylline and nitroglycerin in improving survival of ischemic skin flaps was tested in Wistar rats. In the control group (n = 15) the mean viable length of the flaps was calculated to be 6.160 +/- 0.936, and nonnecrotic flap area was found to be 1859.1 +/- 269.3. In the group treated with pentoxifylline and nitroglycerin (n = 15), the mean viable length of the flap was calculated to be 6.907 +/- 0.617, and the mean nonnecrotic flap area was found to be 2078.5 +/- 172.7. In this study results showed that the use of parenteral pentoxifylline and topical nitroglycerin is effective on skin flap survival.