A free radical scavenger reduces hematoma-induced flap necrosis in Fischer rats.
Free radicals have been shown to play an important role in hematoma-induced flap necrosis. The present study investigated the effect of deferoxamine, a free radical scavenger and iron chelator, on flap necrosis. A 4 X 2 cm dorsal flap was raised in Fischer inbred rats, and 3 cc of blood from inbred donors was instilled beneath the flap. Saline-treated control animals (Group 1) were compared with two experimental groups. In Group 2, deferoxamine 150 mg/kg was administered 15 minutes before surgery and every 8 hours for 5 days. In Group 3, deferoxamine was given every 8 hours for 3 days before surgery and every 8 hours for 5 days postoperatively. Flap necrosis was assessed on postoperative day 5. Group 2 had significantly less necrosis, 18.6%, than the control group, 64.0% (p less than 0.001). Group 3, with 36.0% necrosis, also showed improvement (p less than 0.05). Group 2 and Group 3 were not significantly different. Deferoxamine, a safe and well-tolerated free radical scavenger, greatly enhanced flap survival, presumably by the neutralization of damaging free radical species and by chelation of iron.
D000818:Animals; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D006406:Hematoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D013524:Surgical Flaps
D003676:Deferoxamine