ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of improvement of blood circulation in random pattern skin flap by low molecular heparin sodium cream. METHODS: 48 Wistar rats underwent formation of random skin flap of the size of 2 cm x 8 cm on the back and then were randomly divided into 2 equal groups: experiment group with low molecular heparin sodium cream smeared on the skin flaps and control group with Vaseline smeared on the skin flaps. 24, 48, and 72 hours, and 7 days after the smearing blood samples were collected from 6 rats respectively to detect the content of serum nitric oxide a (NO). Seven days after the smearing specimens were collected from the upper, middle, and lower parts of the skin flaps to undergo pathological examination. RESULTS: (1) The serum NO content of the experiment group was (53 +/- 15) micromol/L, significantly higher than that of the control group [(27 +/- 20) micromol/L, P < 0.05] 7 days after the operation. (2) The skin flap survival rate of the experiment group was (66 +/- 18)%, significantly higher than that of the control group [(22 +/- 16)%, P < 0.01]. (3) Histomorphology showed formation of neo-vessels with integrated endangium of capillary, stability of structure of mitochondria, and milder cell swelling in the flaps treated with heparin cream. CONCLUSION: Low molecular heparin sodium cream increases the content of serum NO, thus increasing the survival of skin flaps.