PURPOSE: Evaluation of the viability of a random pattern dorsal skin flap, in rats with experimentally induced diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Thirty adult, male, Wistar EPM rats were distributed, at random, in two groups: I - Control (flap elevation) and II - Experimental (flap elevation ten days after alloxan induced diabetes ). RESULTS: The mean areas of necrosis in the different groups were 36.4% (Control) and 52.1% (Experimental). CONCLUSION: The random pattern dorsal skin flap was less viable in the diabetic rats.
Diabetes mellitus; Cutaneous flap; Aloxane; Rats
