Summary
Clopidogrel is a thienopyridine derivative that is chemically related to ticlopidine,
which irreversibly inhibits platelet aggregation by selectively binding to adenylate
cyclase-coupled adenosine diphosphate receptors on the platelet's surface. In animal
models, clopidogrel has been shown to reduce the incidence of both arterial and venous
thrombi. In the present study the effects of clopidogrel on the survival of rat epigastric
island flaps was researched. Epigastric island flaps of 7×7 cm were raised from symphisis pubis to arcus costa with the panniculus carnosus. The
experimental group received seven doses of 25 mg/kg clopidogrel postoperatively, the first dose given immediately after the suturing
of the flaps. The rats were anaesthetised on postoperative day 7 to assess the survival
of flaps.
The difference between the clopidogrel and the control group was significant (P<0.005). The full-thickness skin samples obtained after the calculation of survival
percentages revealed thinning of the epidermis layer and active chronic inflammation
in both groups. However, diffuse dilated vessels, extravasated eritrocytes were seen
in the clopidogrel group flaps. The results indicated a significant increase in flap
survival in rats given clopidogrel. Further research is needed to assess the critical
doses of clopidogrel to create optimal flap survival improvement.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 06, 2007
Accepted:
February 5,
2007
Received:
May 13,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
