PROPHYLACTIC USE OF CHLORPROMAZINE TO IMPROVE SURVIVAL OF RANDOM SKINFLAPS IN PIGS

On the basis of earlier success in rat studies, chlorpromazine was eva luated as a probable agent for improving survival of random skin flaps in pigs. The aim was to exclude the possibility that the effect of th e chlorpromazine is species specific and to find out if it is dose dep endent. One hundred and five dorsally-based 12x4 cm flaps were raised unilaterally on the backs of 15 pigs. The animals were divided into th ree groups using 15 mg/kg chlorpromazine, 7.5 mg/kg chlorpromazine, an d a saline-treated control group. Flaps in the control group averaged 40.57+/-3.17% necrosis, while flaps in the 15 mg/kg and 7.5 mg/kg chlo rpromazine-treated groups averaged 31.53+/-4.77% and 11.47+/-2.22% nec rosis respectively. These results demonstrate dose dependent beneficia l affects of chlorpromazine and the survival of random skin flaps in t he pig. Although ideal dose levels are still to be determined, flap su rvival improved with the prophylactic use of chlorpromazine at the low er 7.5 mg/kg dosage.