Effects of N-acetyl cystein on improvement of skin flap viability in rats

Abstract

Objective: Flap necrosis results from inadequate blood perfusion and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Free oxygen radicals play an important role in skin tissue injury, leading to partial flap necrosis. Therefore, in the current study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of N-acetyl cystein (NAC), a highly effective antioxidant agent, on skin flap survival in rats. Material and Methods: Fourteen male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups of 7 each, control and NAC-groups. A standardized dorsal random pattern (2×7 cm) skin flap was elevated in the rats of both groups. In the rats of NAC group, NAC was administered intramuscularly at a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight/day (20 mg/kg at 8:00 am and 20 mg/kg at 8:00 pm) for 10 days. In the rats of control group, %0.9 NaCl solution was intramuscularly administered for 10 days. Skin flap viability was evaluated on postoperative day 10, and the extent of the viable skin flap area was compared between control and NAC-groups. Results: The injection of NAC resulted in a significant increase in skin flap viability when compared to control group [viable skin flap ratio in the NAC-treated group, %59.89 (31.28-66.64); %35.70 (17.25-44.07); p=0.026]. Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings suggest that application of NAC might considerably increase flap viability in the distal parts of skin flaps, therefore NAC application might be used to support the treatment in skin flap surgery. © 2013 by Türkiye Klinikleri.