title: Evaluation of new improved solution containing trehalose in free skin flap storage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, we evaluated a new intracellular type (IT-K) solution containing trehalose in a rabbit free skin flap storage model. Trehalose is a nonreducing disaccharide that can stabilise cell membranes under various stressful conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two free skin flaps of the ear of rabbits were preserved in Euro-Collins (EC) solution or in IT-K solution for 24, 48, and 72 h at 4 degrees C. After completion of preservation, these flaps were replanted to the other ear by microsurgical techniques. Viability study and photo documentation were performed daily for 7 days. Tissue specimens were taken 24 h after vascular anastomosis, fixed in 10% formaldehyde and stained with haematoxylin and eosin (HE). Survival rates were analysed by Fisher's exact test for comparison of the two experimental groups. Values of P < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 7 days, a survival rate of 100% of flaps were observed in both solutions after 24 h of preservation. After preservation for 48 h in IT-K solution the survival rate was 100%. However, in EC solution survival decreased to 75% (9 of 12 preserved flaps survived). This difference increased to 33.3% (4 of 12 flaps) in EC solution and 91.6% (11 of 12 flaps) (P < 0.01) in IT-K solution when the flaps were stored for 72 h. Light microscopic examination also showed less damage in flaps preserved in IT-K solution than in these preserved in EC solution.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IT-K solution was superior to EC solution in the preservation of free skin flaps on rabbit ears when stored for 48 and 72 h.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Kitahara
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Zhan
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nishimura
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D006085:Graft Survival; D008297:Male; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions / Q000737:chemistry; D011817:Rabbits; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000473:pathology; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013997:Time Factors; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D014199:Trehalose
chemical_list: D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; D014199:Trehalose