Murthy P, Riesberg MV, Hart S, Bustillo A, Duque CS, Said S, Civantos FJ. Efficacy of perioperative thromboprophylactic agents in the maintenance of anastamotic patency and survival of rat microvascular free groin flaps.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2003;
129:176-82. [PMID:
12958564 DOI:
10.1016/s0194-5998(03)00603-x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
We sought to determine the thromboprophylactic effects of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and pentoxifylline.
DESIGN
Randomized blinded study. Materials and methods Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: (1) control group (n = 15), (2) pentoxifylline group (n = 15), (3) LMWH group (n = 15), and (4) combined therapy group (n = 15). A groin/abdominal free flap was elevated in each, with division of the artery and microvascular repair The animals received therapy for 4 days preoperatively and 6 days postoperatively. Flaps were monitored visually, and on the seventh postoperative day, the flap was elevated, and the microvascular anastomosis was assessed for patency.
RESULTS
There was a statistically significant improvement in arterial patency in both pentoxifylline and LMWH groups compared with controls (P < 0.01) but no significant improvement with combined therapy (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
In this animal model, LMWH and pentoxifylline have significant thrombroprophylactic effects when used individually but not in combination.
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