Efficacy of perioperative thromboprophylactic agents in the maintenance of anastamotic patency and survival of rat microvascular free groin flaps.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine the thromboprophylactic effects of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and pentoxifylline.


METHODS
Randomized blinded study. Materials and methods Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: (1) control group (n = 15), (2) pentoxifylline group (n = 15), (3) LMWH group (n = 15), and (4) combined therapy group (n = 15). A groin/abdominal free flap was elevated in each, with division of the artery and microvascular repair The animals received therapy for 4 days preoperatively and 6 days postoperatively. Flaps were monitored visually, and on the seventh postoperative day, the flap was elevated, and the microvascular anastomosis was assessed for patency.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant improvement in arterial patency in both pentoxifylline and LMWH groups compared with controls (P < 0.01) but no significant improvement with combined therapy (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In this animal model, LMWH and pentoxifylline have significant thrombroprophylactic effects when used individually but not in combination.
Murthy
Prad
P
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Univeristy of MIami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
Riesberg
Michael V
MV
Hart
Steve
S
Bustillo
Andres
A
Duque
Carlos S
CS
Said
Sheriff
S
Civantos
Francisco J
FJ
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000637:transplantation*; D006119:Groin / Q000601:surgery*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014654:Vascular Patency / Q000187:drug effects*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D010431:Pentoxifylline