Enhancement the skin flap survival in mice applying topical and systemic atorvastatine:a randomized clinical trial study

Abstract

IntroductionSkin flaps play a valuable role in reconstructive surgeries⋅ However, ischemia and necrosis of random designed flaps are still a challenging entity. Our objective was to investigate the feasibility of atorvastatin applied in topical and systemic form to improve the skin flap survival in mice. Materials and methodOne hundred adult male mice of the same strain were randomly divided into four main groups. After anesthesia and prophylactic antibiotic injection, random dorsal skin flaps were designed based on the modified McFarlane's method. In the first main group (control group) which contains two subgroups saline was administered intraperitonealy and topically respectively. In the second main group (vehicle group) carboxymethyl cellulose(vehicle solution) was administered intraperitonealy in one subgroup and vaseline applied topically in the other subgroup. In the third main groups (included three subgroups) 1, 5, and 10mgr/kg of body weight atorvastatin dissolved in carboxymethyl cellulose applied intraperitonealy for two weeks. In the fourth group (included three subgroups) atorvastatin ointment 1%, 5%, and 10% was applied topically for 14 days. After 2 weeks flap necrotized surface investigated using digital photography. ResultsAtorvastatin in Systemic and topical form could decrease the necrotic surface of the random designed skin flap. However, systemic application of atorvastatin seems to be more effective than topical administration, No statistically significant difference was observed between low dose atorvastatin (1 and 5 mg/kg).