MAXIMIZING FLAP SURVIVAL IN A PREFABRICATION MODEL USING EXOGENOUS AND ENDOGENOUS BFGF - A NEW APPROACH

Flap prefabrication is dependent an the neovascular response that occu rs between the implanted arteriovenous pedicle and the recipient tissu e. Augmentation of this neovascular response with angiogenic growth fa ctors would maximize flap survival and minimize the interval between p edicle implantation and flap rotation. Maximizing the biologic activit y of endogenous growth factors would likewise positively impact upon f lap survival. This study examined the role of basic fibroblast growth factor, a known potent angiogenic growth factor, on flap survival in a rabbit ear prefabrication model. Sucrose octasulfate, a substance tha t binds basic fibroblast growth factor, stabilizes it, and protects it from degradation, was also studied to determine its impact on flap su rvival. Flap survival was increased using basic fibroblast growth fact or, sucrose octasulfate, and the two substances combined together. The use of substrates designed to maximize the biologic activity of endog enous growth factors, rather than relying on the artificial addition o f exogenous growth factors, represents a new approach in the search fo r methods that will improve flap survival. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.