Mechanical stimulation improves survival in random-pattern skin flaps in rats.
This was a study on the effects of 3-MHz ultrasound at 16- and 100-Hz pulse repetition frequencies on angiogenesis and viability of random-pattern skin flaps in rats. A cranially-based dorsal skin flap was raised in 60 EPM-Wistar rats, which were randomly divided into four groups: control, sham, 16-Hz and 100-Hz groups. The mean percentage of necrosis was as follows: control, 42% ± 13%; sham, 18% ± 13%; 16-Hz group, 13% ± 10%; and 100-Hz group, 15% ± 7%, with significant differences between the control and the other groups (p < 0.001). The mean vascular density was as follows: control, 5% ± 2%; sham, 7% ± 2%; 16-Hz group, 21% ± 4%; and 100-Hz group, 24% ± 10%, with significant differences between control and ultrasound groups, and between the sham and ultrasound groups (p < 0.001). Both ultrasound treatments (16- and 100-Hz PRFs) induced angiogenesis, and sham and ultrasound treatments improved viability of random-pattern skin flaps in rats.
Graduate Program, Federal University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine (UNIFESP-EPM), Sao Paulo, Brazil. pascale.tacani@hotmail.com
Pascale Mutti
PM
Tacani
Richard Eloin
RE
Liebano
Carlos Eduardo
CE
Pinfildi
Heitor Carvalho
HC
Gomes
Victor Eduardo
VE
Arias
Lydia Masako
LM
Ferreira
D000818:Animals; D006085:Graft Survival; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D009336:Necrosis; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy