title: Endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF) application to irradiated soft tissue.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455.
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Hom
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Assefa
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004431:Ear, External; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011817:Rabbits; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013524:Surgical Flaps
chemical_list: D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D006493:Heparin