The effects of a topical PGE₂ analogue on global flap ischemia in rats

The present study evaluated the ability of DHV-PGE₂ME, a topically effective 16-vinyl prostaglandin E₂analogue, to improve the tolerance of skin flaps to a period of ischemia. DHV-PGE₂ME and placebo were applied to bilateral island flaps on 70 anesthetized rats; then the vascular pedicle of each flap was clamped for 10 hours. Treated flaps evidenced significantly better reperfusion, as documented by quantification of fluorescein dye delivery at 90 minutes after clamp release, and they had significantly greater ultimate viability (p < 0.05, by ANOVA). While less than 3 percent of untreated flaps survived, those treated with 1.75 and 17.5 µg/cm² of drug evidenced 76 and 86 percent survival, respectively. Treatment of a given flap did not affect its contralateral mate, since there was no evidence of a systemic effect. Especially since its effect can be limited to the site of application, DHV-PGE₂ME should be valuable for the treatment of compromised perfusion in a variety of settings.