The effect of external beam irradiation timing on skin graft survival.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate skin graft integrity after external beam irradiation in a rat model.


METHODS
Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 8 groups (A, B, C, D, A(c), B(c), C(c) and D(c)). A rectangular full-thickness skin graft was raised and reapplied to its original bed on the dorsum of each rat. Groups A(c), B(c), C(c) and D(c) were the control groups and were not given postoperative irradiation. After grafting, 25 Gy unfractioned cobalt(60) irradiation was administered to groups A, B, C and D on postoperative days 10, 20, 30 and 40, respectively. Histological samples were obtained 8 weeks after grafting. Dermal and epidermal thickness were measured by the KS-400 image analysis program.


RESULTS
The difference in the epidermal and/or dermal thickness between the irradiated groups was not found to be significant. Furthermore, when histological features and the image analysis of the irradiated groups were compared with each other, there were no significant differences between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Although we are aware that experimental results may not directly translate to the clinical setting, the present study indicates that external radiotherapy can be performed to skin-grafted areas as early as 10 days postoperatively.
Kulahci
Y
Y
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Duman
H
H
Zor
F
F
Bozkurt
M
M
Guden
M
M
Gunhan
O
O
Celasun
B
B
Sengezer
M
M
D000818:Animals; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000473:pathology; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes