The effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on a compromised axial pattern flap in the cat.

A pedicle skin flap based on the caudal superficial epigastric artery was created in 12 cats. The artery was ligated and the vein left intact. Six cats were treated with hyperbaric oxygen at 2 atm absolute for 90 minutes daily for 14 days, starting the day after surgery. Skin flap color was significantly better in the treated cats on days 1, 2, and 3. The amount of exudate was significantly less in the treated cats on day 3. There was no difference in the amount of swelling between treated and nontreated control cats. Although five of six of the treated cats had 100% skin flap survival, there was no significant difference in total flap survival between treated and nontreated control cats.