Vasoactive drugs have been employed in an attempt to increase the viability of ischemic skin flaps. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the vasoactive drug, Buflomedil, in the prevention of ischemic skin flaps of rats. Twenty male rats were divided into na experimental group B and a control group A. In the animals of group B, 3mg/kg of Buflomedil was given intraperitoneally every 12 hours for 2 days before surgery and for 7 days after surgery. An abdominal skin flap was used as a model, with a cephalic base measuring 9 x 4cm. The viability of the flaps was evaluated with a laser fluxometer in predetermined points in the early pre and postoperative period and on the 7th post operative day Planimetric analysis of the total area of the flap, of the vascularized area, and of the necrotic area were done on the 7th day after the operation. Inferior necrosis of the flap was observed in all of the animals in both groups. The statistical analysis of the results obtained did not show a significant difference in the planimetry between the control and the experimental groups. Fluxometry did not show a significant difference in relation to the median points between the two groups. It was concluded that Buflomedil, in the manner in which it was used in this experiment, does not reduce necrosis in ischemic skin flaps of rats.
Skin flaps; Necrosis; Buflomedil
