Effects of superoxide dismutase and allopurinol on the survival of acute island skin flaps

We have demonstrated previously that oxygen-derived free radicals are important mediators of tissue injury following ischemia (total venous occlusion) and reperfusion in small (3 cm x 6 cm) island skin flaps in rats. In this study, we evaluated extension of this concept to regional ischemia in large (8 cm x 8 cm) acute island skin flaps which were constructed in exceed their sole blood supply via unilateral inferior epigastric vessels. Under normal (control) circumstances, a significant portion of the flap would undergo necrosis at the periphery, mimicking the corresponding clinical situation. Blocking the generation of superoxide radicals from xanthine oxidase with a single dose of allopurinol prior to flap elevation significantly improved the area of flap viability from 34 ± 12% to 57 ± 6% (p < 0.01) in the random portion of the flap, contralateral to the source of blood supply. Similarly, the detoxification of superoxide radicals with a single dose of superoxide dismutase improved viability from 41 ± 6% to 58 ± 7% (p < 0.01). Similar results were obtained when either of these agents were administered 60 min after flap elevation. These findings suggest that oxygen-derived free radicals play an important role in the development of tissue necrosis in the critical transition zone between well-vascularized and devascularized skin.