Adequate blood flow is essential for reinnervation in neurovascular skin flaps

The effect of arterial and venous ischaemia on reinnervation of skin flaps after transsection and resuture of the epigastric nerve was investigated in rat groin flaps. The results were compared with those in corresponding fla ps with adequate blood flow. Arterial or venous ischaemia was induced by li gation of the epigastric artery or vein. The reinnervation of the flaps was studied after a 20-week healing period using specific antisera for calcito nin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in sensory nerves, and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in adrenergic nerves. Arterial ischaemia clearly and significantly hampere d reinnervation. Venous ischaemia was even more harmful and practically no regenerated nerves were detected in the flaps. We conclude that adequate bl ood flow is critical for sensory and adrenergic reinnervation in skin flaps .