The effects of retinoic acid and vitamin A on the viability of the skin flaps of the rats

Retinoic acid in the topical application increases vascularity and stimulates mitotic activity in the skin. Vitamin A increases the collagen synthesis, neoangiogenesis, wound contraction and prevents the reperfusion damage, which arises due to the free radicals in the ischemic flap. In our study, the effects of retinoic acid and vitamin A were researched on increasing the viability of the random pattern caudally pedicled dorsal rat flaps. The viable and non -viable flap areas of the rats - those which were applied topical retinoic acid and those which were applied oral vitamin A - were compared to the rats in the control group, which weren't applied medication, and the results gained were evaluated. In our study, vitamin A and retinoic acid weren't found useful in increasing the viability of the skin naps of rats.