Effect of pentoxifylline [corrected] on myocutaneous flap viability in pigs.
Partial necrosis of a skin flap can complicate reconstructive surgery. We performed a double-blinded crossover study to determine if pentoxifylline improves perfusion and survival of a myocutaneous flap. Ten 20-kg pigs were fed pentoxifylline (400 mg three times a day) or placebo for 1 week before and after raising a 5 x 30 cm panniculus carnosus flap on one flank. After 1 week of washout, each pig began the opposite drug treatment and the surgery was repeated on the opposite flank. Immediately after surgery, perfusion dermofluorometry and laser Doppler velocimetry demonstrated a significant increase in the perfusion of pentoxifylline-treated flaps compared to control flaps. On postoperative day 7, the mean area of clinical necrosis was 39.7 +/- 4.7 cm2 on the placebo sides and 30.1 +/- 4.6 cm2 on the pentoxifylline sides (t = 2.21, p < 0.05). We conclude that pentoxifylline improves perfusion and survival of myocutaneous flaps in pigs. Clinical trials appear to be indicated on the basis of the findings of this experiment.
Armstrong
M
M
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287.
Kunar
D R
DR
Cummings
C W
CW
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D005470:Fluorometry; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000098:blood supply; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors; D014022:Tissue Survival / Q000187:drug effects*
D010431:Pentoxifylline