The Effect of Topical Vitamin A and E on Ischemic Random Skin Flap Survival

BACKGROUND Ischemia of skin flaps is an important complication in reconstructive surgery. This study evaluated the efficacy of topical vitamins A and E on improving flap survival. METHODS Twenty-four white-albino male rats were randomly divided into two groups of treatment and control. Standard rectangular, distally based dorsal random pattern skin flap was elevated. Intra-peritoncal cephazoline was administered to prevent any unexpected infection. No pharmaceutical agent was administered for the control group, but pure vaseline ointment. In treatment group, vaseline plus vitamins A and E were administrated daily after surgery for 10 days. The rats were evaluated on the 10th day after surgery for viable and necrotic portions of the flaps. RESULTS The mean values of necrosis in the flaps were 625 +/- 189.56 and 920.00 +/- 247.31 in the treatment and control groups, respectively. Vaseline plus vitamins increased flap survival significantly. CONCLUSION Topical vitamins A and E may be effective pharmaceutical agents to increase viability of random skin flaps in rats. They can be added to vasoactive topical agents to reach better results.