Influence of sildenafil and buflomedil on survival of randomized flaps in rats: an experimental study

BACKGROUND: Microcirculation dysfunction, as a consequence of localized vascular insufficiency, is considered to be one of the dominant causes of surgical flap necrosis. Several vasoactive drugs have been tested for the pharmacological treatment of tissue ischemia, with varying degrees of success. This study aimed to assess the impact of buflomedil and sildenafil on the viability of random skin flaps in rats. METHODS: Caudally pedicled skin flaps (10 x 3 cm) were created on the backs of rats. The animals were randomly assigned, in groups of 10, to three treatment groups: one group served as the vehicle control group, one group received buflomedil (10 mg/kg/d, orally), and a third group received the same dosage of sildenafil. Following seven days of dosing, the animals were sacrificed, and the viable flap area was determined. RESULTS: The average viable flap area for each group was: 16.2 ± 3.56 cm² (control group), 17.69 ± 2.54 cm² (buflomedil group), and 18.28 ± 3.74 cm² (sildenafil group). Data analysis by the Kruskal-Wallis test failed to show a statistically significant difference between the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Neither buflomedil nor sildenafil showed a reduction in the necrotic area of random skin flaps in rats.