[Effect of superoxide dismutase for improvement of survival of ischemic reperfused island skin flap].

Using a rat model, we evaluated the effect of SOD on the survival of ischemic reperfused island skin flaps. In experiment 1, the oxygen free radical concentration in the flaps was measured by the technique of ESR. The results showed that the oxygen free radical concentration in ischemic reperfused flaps was significantly higher than in the corresponding control flaps (P less than 0.001). In experiment 2, the flaps were perfused with SOD (2000 U in 1 ml saline) before reperfusion after 8 hours of ischemia. Seven days after operation, the area of flap survived in the test group was significantly larger than in the control group (P less than 0.0005). The obtained data demonstrated that the generation of oxygen free radical increases with time during ischemia reperfusion in island skin flap and the role of oxygen free radical in tissue injury following ischemia and reperfusion. The use of SOD can enhance the survival of ischemic island skin flap.