A biochemical study of acute ischemia in rodent skin free flaps with and without prior elevation.

Elevation of a vascular island flap 24 hours before an ischemic insult (prior elevation) has been shown to significantly increase flap survival, and to decrease blood thromboxane levels, compared with acutely ischemic flaps. The current study considered whether prior elevation causes other biochemical alterations that could be beneficial for flap survival. Tissue levels of adenosine triphosphate (a major tissue energy store), superoxide dismutase (a major defense against free radicals), xanthine oxidase (an enzymatic source of free radicals), and edema were measured. Rat epigastric flaps, with or without prior elevation, had 10 or 12 hours of acute ischemia. Biopsies were taken at 0, 12, or 24 hours after reperfusion. Skin from flaps with no ischemia (control flaps) or control skin was harvested at the same times. Acutely ischemic flaps had significantly lower levels of adenosine triphosphate and less edema than those in prior elevated ischemic flaps after 12 hours of ischemia (both, p less than 0.05). Superoxide dismutase and xanthine oxidase did not vary significantly. It is not clear whether the increased adenosine triphosphate level in prior elevated flaps is the cause or the result of increased tissue viability. Prior elevation did not alter free radical mechanisms. Furthermore, prior elevation was beneficial for flap survival despite increased edema.