The dorsal rat flap: a discussion of the model and the salutary effect of cimetidine on flap survival.
Failure of skin flaps remains a significant clinical problem. The dorsal rat flap, a reliable experimental model, was used to test the efficacy of cimetidine in treating a failing flap. Flaps were elevated in 45 rats divided into three equal groups. Group 1 was a saline control group, Group 2 received cimetidine 250 mg/kg three times a day for 7 days postoperatively, and Group 3 received cimetidine for 1 day before surgery, and then as in Group 2. Necrosis was assessed on the seventh postoperative day. Group 2 had 31.1 +/- 1.3 (mean % +/- SEM) necrosis, significantly better than saline control animals (p less than 0.01) and pretreated animals (p less than 0.05). These results suggest the usefulness of cimetidine in ischemic flap surgery.
Angel
M F
MF
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908.
Wanebo
J
J
Bardakjian
V
V
Amiss
L R
LR
Morgan
R F
RF
D000818:Animals; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology; D014022:Tissue Survival / Q000187:drug effects*
D002927:Cimetidine