The present study was undertaken to examine the following subjects; First, the bed affects the survival of the distal random segment of an axial pattern flap. Second, this portion of the flap could be considered as a composite sking graft. Third, this segment could be partially salvaged by locally controlling the physical factors, such as pressure or humidity.
Total 85 male albino rats weighing 150-200gm were divided into preliminary group, and 1 to 8 group, caudally based axial pattern flaps of 3×10cm in size were elevated, and treated as the schedule. On 8th postoperative day, the necrotic and survival areas were evaluated, the results were analyzed statistically using Student’s t-test, and values of p＜0.05 were considered as significant.
Results were obtained as follows; The distal random segment of an axial pattern flap can be prtially salvaged by local pressure, which provides favorable contact with the bed. And this portion can be considered as a composite skin graft. Its take resembles that of a graft, dominantly depending on the blood vessels emerging from its bed, and to a lesser extent on those provided by its proximal segment and adjacent skin edges. Finally increasing the topical flap humidity does not augment its survival.
|