Prevention of wound edge necrosis by local application of dimethylsulfoxide.
BACKGROUND
Surgical flap necrosis is one of the most common problems after procedures such as mastectomies and regional lymph node dissections. In this prospective randomized study, the effect of topical dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on skin flap viability was analyzed.


METHODS
Sixty-six consecutive patients with breast cancer who had skin flaps created during mastectomy were randomized into two groups. Topical DMSO was applied on surgical flaps of the patients in Group-1, topical saline was applied for those in Group-2. Necrotic flap edges were recorded during the follow-up period for each patient, then excised and weighted in a blind manner.


RESULTS
The mean weight of flap edge necrosis was 23.48 +/- 9.5 (mean +/- sem) microg in DMSO group and 126.27 +/- 44.8 microg in control group (p = 0.03). The hospitalization period was 9.6 +/- 0.5 days and 11.8 +/- 0.8 days in DMSO group and control group respectively (p = 0.02). There were no side effects due to DMSO.


CONCLUSIONS
The application of DMSO reduced skin flap necrosis and improved outcome of surgical flaps.
Celen
O
O
Department of Surgery, Ankara Oncology Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. drorhancelen@yahoo.com
Yildirim
E
E
Berberoğlu
U
U
D000287:Administration, Topical; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide