The positive effect of Botulinum toxin type A on the viability of random flap in tobacco exposed in rats

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of Botulinum Toxin A in different time of tobacco exposure. METHODS: 60 male, Wistar rats were divided into two tobacco exposure groups a 2- month or a 4-month regimen. After this period, these two groups were subdivided as two saline solution(SS) or botulinum toxin A(Bonta), at the time of the surgery. Seven days before the SS or Bonta injection, the animals were submitted to a random flap (3x10cm). On the seventh postoperative day, all animals were assessed for total flap area, viable area, and the viable/ total area ratio. RESULTS: This study showed a difference between groups 2-month saline vs. BontA injection (p=0.04); groups 4-month saline vs. BontA injection (p=0.001); groups 2-month saline vs. 4-month BontA (p=0.003), and, between groups 2- month BontA vs. 4-month saline(p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Botulinum Toxin A increased random flap viability in tobacco-exposed rats. Two months of tobacco exposure had the same effect as exposure for four months.