J Reconstr Microsurg 1997; 13(5): 345-349
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1006414
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1997 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Blood Flow and Microcirculatory Changes in an Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Model: Experimental Study in the Rabbit

Ali Gürlek, Mark A. Schusterman, Gregory R.D. Evans, Giulio Gherardini
  • Departments of Plastic Surgery, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, Inönü University, Malatya, Turkey and Karolinska Hospital and Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted for publication 1997

Publication Date:
08 March 2008 (online)

ABSTRACT

This is the first in a series of studies designed to investigate the simultaneous changes in blood flow and microcirculation in an island flap during ischemia, in an ischemia-reperfusion model in the rabbit. An island groin flap based on the inferior epigastric vessels was harvested in 17 rabbits. The flap was rendered ischemic for 4 (n = 4), 6 (n = 4), and 16 (n = 9) hr by applying a microvascular clamp to both the inferior epigastric artery and vein. The blood flow in the epigastric artery and the microcirculation of the flap were monitored for 1 hr before the ischemia and for 3 hr after the ischemia period, using a transonic Doppler and a laser Doppler, respectively.

Both the blood flow and the microcirculation of the flap were found significantly increased immediately after the ischemia in the 4- and 6-hr ischemia groups, compared to the pre-ischemic values. In the same groups, blood flow and microcirculation remained elevated over pre-ischemic levels, indicating a hyperemic response. In the 16-hr ischemic group, blood flow and microcirculation values remained significantly lower than the pre-ischemic readings at all points in time, demonstrating ischemia-reperfusion injury.