The Effect of Clexan, Plavix and their Combination on Random Skin Flap Survival in Rats

Introduction & Tissue ischemia and necrosis of flap is a challenging problem in reconstructive surgery. Pharmacological agents and modifications of procedures have been examined for halting or reversing these processes and maximizing the length to width ratio with different results. In this study, the effects of clexan, plavix and their combination on skin random flap survival were examined in rat. Forty male rats of a specific race were randomly assigned to four equal groups. In all of these rats surgery were done as follow: Surgery was done under general anesthesia a rectangular 3×11 cm modified distally based Mc-Farlan type flap. Then the flap sutured back into its primary site over a sterile surgical drape. In the first group only anesthetic agent and prophylactic antibiotic was given. In the 2th group after surgery clexan with a dose single of 3.2 mg/kg was injected subcutaneously after surgery. In 3rd group, plavix tablet, 25 mg/kg via OGT (OroGasteric tube) was given after surgery and this drug was continued for 7 days. In the 4th group we combined the methods used in groups 2 and 3. (Each rats received both clexan and plavix.) After 7 days all rats were scarified and then the photo of flaps was taken with Digital camera. The total surface of flap and also the area of necrosis were calculated with Image J software. Mean standard deviation and variance analysis were used to compare the groups. Plavix alone significantly improved flap survival in comparison to control group (P