ENHANCEMENT OF FLUORESCEIN PERFUSION IN EXPERIMENTAL SKIN FLAPS FOLLOWING POSTISCHEMIC WASHOUT WITH ILOPROST, UROKINASE, VERAPAMIL, AND UNIVERSITY-OF-WISCONSIN SOLUTION

The enhancement of blood flow in experimental skin flaps following pos tischemic perfusion washout was investigated in rats. Unilateral islan d skin flaps based on the superficial epigastric vessels were raised a nd subjected to 6 hr of primary ischemia. Group 1 was designated as a control and did not undergo postischemic perfusion washout. In the rem aining rats, postischemic washout was performed with one of five agent s: Group 2-lactated Ringer's solution; Group 3-University of Wisconsin solution, an organ preservation medium; Group 4-verapamil, a calcium channel blocker; Group 5-urokinase, a thrombolytic agent; Group 6-ilop rost, a stable prostacyclin analog. Two hours following perfusion wash out, fluorometric analysis revealed a statistically significant enhanc ement of blood flow in Groups 4, 5, and 6, compared to Groups 2 and 3 (p <0.05). Furthermore, a significant increase in skin surface fluores cence was demonstrated in all the flaps that underwent perfusion washo ut, compared to the control flaps (p <0.05). By analyzing skin surface fluorescence, the enhancement of nutritive blood flow in flaps, follo wing postischemic perfusion washout, was evaluated. This is the first study in which the above pharmacologic agents were compared. in a quan titative manner.