Purpose: To evaluate the effect of inactive form of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) at different injection time on the prefabricated flap viability in rabbits. Methods: A thoracodorsal artery vascular bundle prefabricated flap was established on the back of 30 healthy male New Zealand white rabbits by 2 phases of operations. A total of 60 sides were randomly divided into the experimental side and the control side. The experimental side was injected with autologous inactive PRP around the thoracodorsal vascular bundle, and the control side was injected with the same amount of normal saline. According to preoperative (group A), intraoperative (group B), and postoperative (group C) injection of PRP, 30 rabbits were divided into 3 groups of 10 each. Histological and immunohistochemical observation, vascular density measurement, and lead oxide angiography were used to compare the differences in the survival of prefabricated flaps between the 3 groups of rabbits injected with inactive PRP at different injection time. Results: The flap survival ratio, microvessels density, vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 expression of PRP injection side were significantly improved compared with the control side. In the comparison of 3 injection time groups, we found that group A and group B could achieve better results, and especially group B had the most significant effect on the revascularization and flap viability. Conclusion: Autologous inactive PRP can promote the survival of the prefabricated flap, and the intraoperative injection can significantly improve the survival rate of the prefabricated flap. It provides a theoretical guidance for obtaining a larger area of prefabricated axial flap in clinical practice.
Background: Skin defect of the lower part of the face and neck is a severe condition for many patients with burn and traumatic injuries or skin lesions. The expanded forehead flap with anterofrontal temporal vessel pedicles has been widely used in lower cheeks, chin, and neck reconstruction. (In this study, we introduce a new concept-''Zipper concept'' of the flap design.) The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and outcome of using expanded forehead flap with a vertical incision with or without a small transverse incision in the central part. Methods: From March 2010 to September 2016, 27 patients who suffered from lower cheeks and chin skin defects were reconstructed by expanded forehead flap with anterofrontal temporal vessel pedicles. After the lesion was excised, the upper or the lower part of the flap was cut in half with a vertical incision with or without a small transverse incision in the middle part as needed for cheeks, upper lip or neck reconstruction, and the other part of the flap was remained to be one piece for chin reconstruction. Results: All flaps survived completely without any congestion or necrosis. All patients achieved satisfactory results both functionally and aesthetically. Conclusions: A vertical incision with or without a small transverse incision in the central part of the expanded forehead flap with anterofrontal temporal vessel pedicles is a safe modification of the flap design. It is practical and could bring the expanded forehead flap to more indications.
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