Extracorporeal Shock Wave Enhanced Extended Skin Flap Tissue Survival via Increase of Topical Blood Perfusion and Associated with Suppression of Tissue Pro-Inflammation

Objective Distal skin flap ischemic necrosis is a significant challenge in reconstructive surgery. This study assessed whether extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) treatment rescues compromised flap tissue by enhancing tissue perfusion and is associated with suppression of inflammatory response. Methods This study used the dorsal skin random flap model in a rodent. Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups. Group I, a control group, received no treatment. Group II was administrated 500 impulses of ESW treatment at 0.15 mJ/mm2 as a single treatment immediately postoperatively. Group III received 500 impulses of ESW at 0.15 mJ/mm2 applied immediately postoperatively and the day following surgery. Flap blood perfusion was detected by laser Doppler. Flap survival/necrosis area and histological staining of flap ischemia zone was performed on day 7 postoperatively. The tumor necrosis factor alpha, vascular endothelial growth factor, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression were evaluated with immunohistochemical staining. Results Experimental results indicated that the necrotic area of the flaps in Group II was significantly reduced compared with that in the control group (13 ± 2.6% versus 42 ± 5.7%, P < 0.01). There was small and insignificant reduction in the necrotic area in Group III compared with the controls. Flap tissue blood perfusion was significantly increased postoperatively in Group II. Histological staining indicated that ESW treatment substantially increased vascular endothelial growth factor and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expressions, reduced leukocyte infiltration, and suppression of tumor necrosis factor alpha expression in flap tissue ischemic zones in Group II compared with that in controls. Conclusion Optimal dosage of ESW treatment has a positive effect in rescuing ischemic zone of flap by increasing tissue perfusion and is associated with suppressing inflammatory response.