ABSTRACT
Objective: To understand the effects of different expansion ways on collagen and actin of skin and to provide an experiment foundation for the suitable expansion method clinically. Methods: The rabbits were divided into five groups. The expanders were embedded in experimental group. The sirius-red specific staining method was applied to observe the changes of type I collagen and type III collagen and their proportion. Immunochemistry method was used to detect the expression of actin. Results: 1: In group A, B and C, type I collagen arranged turbulently and was thicker and type III collagen decreased relatively at earlier maintaining period. After 4 week, type I collagen arranged regularly and type III collagen was relatively increased. 2: Comparisons of the area about type I, III collagen: At the same maintaining period, there were no significant difference among the group A,B and C. With the extension of maintaining period, the area of type I, III collagen increased gradually, but there was inclined to stabilize at the fourth week in group A, B and at the third week in group C. Comparison of the proportion of collagen I and collagen III: There were significant difference between group A, B and group D, but no significant difference was observed after the fourth week. There were significant difference between group C and control group, but no significant difference was observed after three week. 3. With the extension of maintaining period, the positive expression rates of actin decreased gradually in group A, B, C. At the same maintaining period, significant difference were observed among group A, B, C. The positive expression rates of actin in group C were lower than that of group A at the same maintaining period. Conclusion: The repeated rapid expansion can not only shorten the clinical period but also promote the quality of skin flap. It is a safe and feasible method in clinic.