Protective effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on the survival zone of the perforator flaps in rats

Perforator flaps have recently been used in the field of plastic surgery. Skin defects can be reconstructed to reach functional and cosmetic goals. With the development of reconstructive approaches, utilizing stem cells is a hopeful approach to enhance wound healing and tissue recovery. In this study, we assessed the effect of Bone marrow Mesenchymal stem cells(BMMSCs) on the perforator flap's survival in rats. Perforator flaps (۲.۵×۱۱ cm)were transplanted into rats and focusing on the thoracodorsal, intercostal, and deep circumflex arteries, which were randomly divided into three groups: control, saline, and BMMSCs(۷×۱۰۶ ml).Seven days after the surgery tissue edema, inflammatory and discharge were observed and photographed. Histological analyses were performed to determine flap survival. H&E staining was performed to assess levels of microvascular density (MVD) were determined in skin flaps.Rats in the BMMSCs group exhibited higher average flap survival area, and higher MVD levels at the dynamical areas of the flaps compared with the other two groups. Subdermal injection of BMMSCs significantly increased ischemic perforator flap survival as a result of stimulated neovascularization in rats. Our findings suggest the potential usefulness of BMMSCs in preventing skin flap perforator tissue necrosis.

Keywords:

Perforator Flap“ , Microvascular Density” , Patient Discharge “ , Stem Cells”. Necrosis “Rats , ” Arteries , “Surgery , Plastic