Omega-3 effectiveness against viability extended random skin flap in rats

Abstract

Background: Grafts and flaps are commonly used for wound closure which can be caused by trauma, chronic disease, post excision tumors, burns, and infections. Reconstructive can fail because of the poor wound bed, radiation, vascular insufficiency and reperfusion injury (IR). EPA and DHA (omega-3) are new compounds that have a strong effect on controlling inflammation in the resolution phase. Some studies say that EPA and DHA (omega-3) are described not only to lower plasma triglyceride levels but also have anti-inflammatory effects and improve endothelial function, all of which mediate anti-atherogenic effects. This study aimed to prove whether preoperative omega-3 administration could increase the viability of extended random skin flaps Method: This is an experimental post-test-only control group design. 24 rats were divided into 4 groups. The control group (I and II) only had an extended random skin flap, and the sample was taken on the 3rd day (Group I) and 7th day (Group II) and the treatment group (II and IV). Omega was administered according to the animal dose for 21 days. The extended random skin flap was performed, and the sample was taken 3rd day (Group III) and 7th day (Group IV) and the viability of the extended random skin flap in the study was assessed from the expression of VEGF, the number of capillaries and clinical examination assessed from survival area. Results: Independent T test for each pair in groups I and III showed a significant difference between the mean number of blood vessels in group I and the average number of blood vessels in group III, P=0.000, p<0.005, a significant difference between the mean number of blood vessels in group II and the mean number of blood vessels in group II. group IV blood vessels obtained P = 0.000, p <0.005. Mann-Whitney test found a significant difference between the intensity of VEGF in groups I and III with a value of p=0.031 (p<0.05) and a significant difference in VEGF expression in groups II and IV with p=0.038 (p<0.05). The results of the statistical test of survival area independent T-test for pairs in groups I and III obtained p: 0.353 (p>0.05), and the Mann-Whitney test for groups II and IV obtained p: 0.749 (p>0.05). Conclusion: Consumption of omega 3 oral before surgery increased the viability of the extended random skin flap by histopathologically increasing VEGF expression and capillary count, and omega 3 oral administration before surgery did not increase the viability of the extended random skin flap assessed from the survival area on the first week.