Arch Craniofac Surg.  2015 Aug;16(2):73-79. 10.7181/acfs.2015.16.2.73.

Comparison of Prostaglandin E1 and Sildenafil Citrate Administration on Skin Flap Survival in Rats

• Choi JA
• Lee KC
• Kim MS
• Kim SK

• KMID: 2167732
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7181/acfs.2015.16.2.73

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Alprostadil and sildenafil are known vasodilators used independently to improve flap survival in animal models. In this study, we investigate whether these agents act synergistically to decrease flap necrosis in rat models.
METHODS
After acclimation period, 4 groups of 10 male white rats were given a modified McFarlane skin flap. The postoperative treatment included saline control (Group A), sildenafil citrate-only (Group B), alprostadil-only (Group C), and both sildenafil and alprostadil (Group D). The flaps were observed on postoperative days 1, 3, 5 and 7. The animals were euthenized on postoperative day 7, and the flaps were evaluated for inflammation and neovascularization.
RESULTS
At each observation, the mean necrotic index was significantly lower for all three treatment groups (Groups A, B, C) and was the lowest for the combined treatment group. On histologic evaluations, combined treatment was associated with decreased inflammation and increased capillary vessel formation, when compared with control group.
CONCLUSION
Both sildenafil-only and alprostadil treatments were independently associated with increased flap survival rate. Sildenafil citrate and alprostadil had a synergistic effect in increasing flap survival rate.

Keyword

Alprostadil; Sildenafil; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Surgical flaps; Survival rate

MeSH Terms

Acclimatization
Alprostadil*
Animals
Capillaries
Citric Acid*
Humans
Inflammation
Male
Models, Animal
Necrosis
Rats*
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Skin*
Surgical Flaps
Survival Rate
Vasodilator Agents
Sildenafil Citrate
Alprostadil
Citric Acid
Vasodilator Agents