[Effect of the endoexpander pressure of continuous and constant pressure expansion on the drug permeability].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of the endoexpander pressure of continuous and constant pressure expansion on the drug permeability.


METHODS
The expanders were divided into two groups, the normal expansion and the continuous and constant pressure expansion (4.6 kPa). Each expander was filled with 0.2% Metronidazole, then the expanders were immersed wholly in normal saline and sealed totally. At several intervals over 72 hours, the surrounding saline was sampled and the drug concentration of the sample was measured respectively.


RESULTS
Both groups were permeable to the Metronidazole and the concentration outside the expander would reach the effective concentration in 48 hours. The drug concentration of the continuous and constant pressure expansion was higher than that of the normal one and there was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The endoexpander pressure in continuous and constant pressure expansion can enhance the drug permeability. In view of this, in the course of continuous and constant pressure expansion, 0.2% Metronidazole can be used to prevent and control the infection.
Zhan
Wang
W
Department of Plastic Surgery, Hainan Provincial Hospital, Haikou Hainan, P. R. China 570311. williamzhan@yeah.net
Zhu
Fei
F
Kuang
Li-xiang
LX
Chen
Gang
G
Lu
Yi-Dong
YD
Ning
Jin-Long
JL
D006801:Humans; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000378:metabolism*; D010539:Permeability; D011312:Pressure; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D015625:Tissue Expansion Devices
D008795:Metronidazole