Effect of aspirin and heparin on random skin flap survival in rats.
BACKGROUND
Aspirin and heparin are commonly given to patients undergoing microvascular procedures to increase flap survival and patency, yet there is scant information concerning the effect these flaps have on nonmicrovascular flaps.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to obtain baseline values concerning the effect of aspirin and heparin on the viability of standardized flap tissues.


METHODS
One hundred rats were divided into five groups receiving high-dose aspirin, low-dose aspirin, high-dose aspirin in combination with heparin, and heparin alone and the final group were controls. The viability of the tissue was measured at 1 week by fluorescein fluorescence.


RESULTS
There was significant improvement in flap survival in the high-dose aspirin and high-dose aspirin combination groups.


CONCLUSIONS
It appears that high-dose aspirin increases survival of ischemic flap tissue irrespective of the presence of microvascular anastomosis and may be of clinical benefit in all flap surgery. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.
Shalom
Avshalom
A
Department of Plastic Surgery, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel. fredricag@asaf.health.gov.il
Friedman
Tal
T
Westreich
Melvyn
M
D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008239:Lysine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014022:Tissue Survival / Q000187:drug effects*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D006493:Heparin; D008239:Lysine; D001241:Aspirin; C010395:acetylsalicylic acid lysinate