Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that directly or indirectly stimulating angiogenesis can promote the survival of distal ischemia in part.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-poly (lactic acid-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-sustained release microspheres on the survival of a cross-area flap on the lateral region of the rabbit abdomen.
METHODS: Twenty-four health rabbits were collected and the cross-area flap of rabbits was produced. Then the rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: experimental group, control group and blank control group. Five days before operation, rabbits in the experimental group were intradermally injected with bFGF-PLGA microspheres, and those in the control group were intradermally injected with bFGF+empty microsphere suspension; while those in the blank control group were intradermally injected with normal saline. After 5 days, the skin flap was sutured.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1)The skin flap survival rate of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control and blank control groups (P < 0.01). (2)Histological changes of skin flap tissues: A large number of granulation tissue formed in the experimental group, and neovascularization was obvious. (3)CD34+ immunohistochemistry results: A large number of new vessels were found in the experimental group. In addition, the average number of blood vessels was higher in the experimental group than in the control group and blank control group (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the local injections of bFGF-PLGA sustained-release microspheres at 5 days preoperatively can promote skin flap neovascularization, increase the skin flap blood supply and promote skin flap survival.