The effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on venous flap survival

Abstract

Background and Design.- Neovascularization and plasmatic imbibition through the recipient bed plays and important role on venous flap survival. In this study, we tested the effect of a very potent angiogenic support on the survival venous rate of the flap. For this aim inferior epigastric venous flap of the rats were used. Forty rats were divided into two groups: group A: With flaps infiltrated with bFGF beneath; group B: With silicon sheath applied between recipient bed and flap. The same flaps were also prepared and arranged, contralaterally in 20 rats as control groups. Plannimetric scale was used to compare the differences between survived flaps. Results.- Flaps which infiltrated their bed with bFGF showed a higher survival rate, but the results were not statistically significant. Conclusion. - Further investigations are needed to solve the problems about starting and mainte¬nance therapy of this factor.