title: The Vasodilator Effect of a Cream Containing 10% Menthol and 15% Methyl Salicylate on Random-Pattern Skin Flaps in Rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is still difficult to prevent partial or full-thickness flap necrosis. In this study, the effects of a cream containing menthol and methyl salicylate on the viability of randompattern skin flaps were studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two equal groups. Caudally based dorsal random-pattern skin flaps were elevated, including the panniculus carnosus. In the study group, 1.5 mL of a cream containing menthol and methyl salicylate was applied to the skin of the flap, and saline solution (0.9%) was used in the control group. Upon completion of the experiment, flap necrosis was analyzed with imaging software and radionuclide scintigraphy. Histopathological measurements were made of the percentage of viable flaps, the number of vessels, and the width of the panniculus carnosus muscle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to the photographic analysis, the mean viable flap surface area in the study group was larger than that in the control group (P=0.004). According to the scintigrams, no change in radioactivity uptake was seen in the study group (P>0.05). However, a significant decrease was observed in the control group (P=0.006). No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of the percentage of viable flaps, the number of vessels, or the width of the panniculus carnosus muscle (P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on these results, it is certain that the cream did not reduce the viability of the flaps. Due to its vasodilatory effect, it can be used as a component of the dressing in reconstructive operations where skin perfusion is compromised.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Utku Can
authors.initials: UC
authors.lastname: Dölen
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Clinic, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nezih
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sungur
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gökhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koca
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Medical School of Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Onur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ertunç
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Medical School of Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayşe Tülay
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Bağcı Bosi
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Clinic, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Uğur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Koçer
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Meliha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Korkmaz
keywords: Menthol; Methyl salicylate; Perfusion; Surgical flaps; Vasodilator agents