Expansion of Surviving Skin Paddle of Neurocutaneous Island Flaps in Rats by VEGF

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can enlarge the skin paddles of neurocutaneous flaps in rats. Wistar albino rats were used in four groups: Group 1, (n = 10): neurocutaneous island flap; Group 2, (n = 10): neurocutaneous island flap, surgical delay; Group 3, (n = 10): neurocutaneous island flap, VEGF; Group 4, (n = 10): graft. A 3 x 3-cm, neurocutaneous island flap was elevated on the anterolateral skin of the thigh of the rats. The surviving flap areas were 29.7 +/- 1.43 percent in Group 1, 41.3 +/- 3.24 percent in Group 2, 94.2 +/- 1.46 percent in Group 3. There were no surviving areas in Group 4. The vascular networks of Group 3 animals were more intensive and diffused on microangiography and the histopathologic findings were better in this group. The surviving flap areas in Group 3 animals were enlarged approximately three times over the original size.

Anterolateral Thigh Flap in Experimental Rat Models

“…We have been interested in the article by Tetik Menevse et al, entitled ''Expansion of Surviving Skin Paddle of Neurocutaneous Island Flaps in Rats by VEGF.'' 1 The authors present a successful experience with a neurocutaneous island flap based on a cutaneous branch arising mainly from the saphenous nerve and sometimes from the epigastric nerve. We congratulate the authors for their results, which, by adding further proof of the role of growth factors in flap survival, will hopefully help accelerate the field toward the use of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human patients.…”