Effect of proteins depletion on the surviving length in experimental skin flaps.

Protein depletion appears to augment, rather than decrease, the length of a skin flap surviving in rats. We were able to document a lowering of serum viscosity in these animals. The augmentation of flap survival produced by protein depletion may even be greater than that produced by the delay phenomenon. A reduction in the total weight of flaps is present in the protein-depleted animals, and this may contribute to the augmentation of flap survival in them.