title: The effect of microneedling with a roller device on the viability of random skin flaps in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In a random pattern skin flap, distal flap necrosis occurs as a result of inadequate blood flow. Microneedling with a handheld roller device is a new treatment modality, especially for facial rejuvenation. In this study, the authors used microneedling to increase flap viability.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups of 20. The study group was exposed to McFarlane flap elevation and repositioning. The microneedling procedure was performed four times: 3 days before, on the day of, and on the third and sixth days after surgery. The control group was only exposed to surgery. The skin flap necrosis area was measured on the seventh postoperative day topographically by digital imaging and scintigraphy. After determination of necrosis area, the amount of neovascularization and number of vascular structures within the papillary dermal layer were counted histopathologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean percentages of necrosis in the flap area as determined by the Digimizer analysis program were 37.51 ± 5.08 in the control group and 29.42 ± 7.37 in the study group. The mean percentages of flap necrosis of the control group and the study group as determined by radionuclide scintigraphy were 31.4 ± 4.1 and 22.8 ± 5.0, respectively. The comparison of flap necrosis percentages showed that the study group had significantly lower values (p < 0.001). Vessel counts in the study group also showed significant increase (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors' study showed that the microneedling method applied directly on the flap could be a faster, safer, and more effective therapy modality to increase flap viability.
authors: Yozgat, Ankara, Istanbul, and Karaman, Turkey; and Geneva, Switzerland From Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic, Yozgat State Hospital; Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic and Departments of Nuclear Medicine and Pathology, Ankara Research and Training Hospital; Department of Sociology, University of Geneva; Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Research and Training Hospital; and Dermatalogy Clinic, Karaman State Hospital.
authors: Ruser
authors: R
authors: Baris
authors: Yuksel
authors: Y
authors: Kankaya
authors: Kadri
authors: K
authors: Ozer
authors: Ruya Gokhan
authors: RG
authors: Kocer
authors: Cem Inan
authors: CI
authors: Bektas
authors: Arzu
authors: A
authors: Karatas
authors: Ugur
authors: U
authors: Kocer
authors: Gokhan
authors: G
authors: Koca
authors: Hesna Muzeyyen
authors: HM
authors: Astarci
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D009339:Needles; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D012060:Rejuvenation; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology
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