title: Vascular and epidermal effects of fibroblast growth factor on irradiated and nonirradiated skin flaps.
abstract: Head and neck cancer surgeons are often faced with the challenge of managing previously irradiated soft tissue that has poor vascularity and slower epithelialization. This study investigates the effect of supplemental basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on flap vascularity, tissue oxygenation, and epidermal regeneration in nonirradiated (n = 40) and irradiated porcine skin flaps (n = 40). Supplemental bFGF increased vascularity in nonirradiated flaps by 80% (p = .005), with a trend to a higher tissue oxygen level by day 14. The irradiated bFGF-treated flaps did not show increased vascularity or higher tissue oxygen levels 2 weeks after surgery. However, in both irradiated and nonirradiated groups, epidermal regeneration increased by greater than 70% with supplemental bFGF (p < .002). The results of this study suggest that supplemental bFGF can increase tissue vascularity in nonirradiated tissues and epidermal regeneration in both nonirradiated and irradiated conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota School of Medicine and Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis 55455, USA.
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Hom
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Simplot
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Pernell
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Manivel
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D010100:Oxygen