title: Capsaicin on the viability of random-pattern skin flaps in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of capsaicin on the viability of ischemic random-pattern skin flaps in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty EPM1-Wistar rats were randomized into two groups of 20 animals each, the capsaicin group and the control group. A random-pattern skin flap measuring 10 x 4 cm was raised and a plastic barrier was placed between the flap and the donor site. After the surgical procedure, the control group was treated with an inert vehicle in the form of a cream applied uniformly to a rayon bandage which, in turn, was applied to the surface of the skin flap. The capsaicin group was treated in the same way, but in this case capsaicin was added to the cream. This procedure was repeated for two consecutive days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significantly smaller amount of flap necrosis in the capsaicin group (35.07%) than in the control group (44.75%) (p=0.035).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical administration of capsaicin improved the viability of ischemic random-pattern skin flaps in rats.
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Division, UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo Roberto de
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Godoy
authors.forename: Richard Eloin
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Liebano
authors.forename: Juliana Barbosa
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Corrêa
authors.forename: Bernardo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hochman
authors.forename: Lydia Masako
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D002211:Capsaicin