title: Growth factors and flap survival.
abstract: Growth factors are members of a large functional group of polypeptide regulatory molecules that influence the biological activities of responsive cells. In the last decade, the use of a variety of growth factors as therapeutic agents to improve wound healing and the viability of ischemic skin flaps has aroused considerable interest. Here, we review the literature concerning the regulation of growth factors in a flap, the role of angiogenesis in flap survival, the effect of growth factors on the metabolism of a flap, and angiogenesis in flap prefabrication and maturation. The potential application of growth factors in gene therapies is also reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Waller
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Lineaweaver
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D004727:Endothelium / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000628:therapy*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006133:Growth Substances; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A