ABSTRACT
AIM: To explore the curative effects of various approaches to improve the arterial inflow following flap grafting with various tensions. METHODS: 135 patients with skin defects in limbs, who underwent flap grafting in Department of Orthopedics, Baoan People's Hospital of Southern Medical University between August 2002 and August 2006, were selected, and informed the consent. The wounds of every 45 cases were sutured under the tension of 1.0 kg, 1.5 kg, and 2.0 kg, respectively; meanwhile, all patients were randomly divided into hyperbaric oxygen group, dexamethasone group, and local injection of heparin group with 15 cases in each group, and given the corresponding treatment besides ordinary treatment. Seven days later, the flap survival was observed. RESULTS: 135 patients were all involved in the result analysis without any loss. The flaps of 90 patients recovered completely under the tension of 1.0 kg and 1.5 kg. But under 2.0 kg tension, the flaps of 10 penitents in the hyperbaric oxygen group recovered, 4 survived mostly and 1 necrosed; in the dexamethasone group, 5 flaps recovered, 3 survived mostly, and 7 necrosed; in the local injection of heparin group, 3 flaps recovered, 3 survived mostly, other 9 necrosed completely. CONCLUSION: The suture tension of 1.0 kg to 1.5 kg is feasible in flap grafting, and compared with heparin and dexamethasone, hyperbaric oxygen could better promote the arterial inflow under high tension like 2.0 kg.
