The efficacy of hyaluronidase on flap survival: an animal model

M. Sungur, C. Yıldırım, C. Cingi

Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Acibadem University, Atakent Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. cemal@ogu.edu.tr

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• Orthopedics

OBJECTIVE: It has been hypothesized that hyaluronidase may allow fluid to enter and exit the basal area of the flap more readily and thus allow waste metabolites from the distal portion of the flap to drain towards areas where the blood supply may be healthier. We aimed to test this hypothesis by seeing whether hyaluronidase enhances the survival of a flap created in an animal model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiment utilized 14 male Wistar rats to test the effect of administering hyaluronidase on flap survival. The study utilized the same “flap survival method” technique reported in numerous previous studies.

RESULTS: The area of necrosis in the animals of the intervention group was lower than in the control animals, and this result reached statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS: Hyaluronidase may preserve tissue flap vitality, starting at the bottom end of the dosage range. Future research should establish the minimal concentration needed to obtain benefits. The optimal mode of administration, whether by injection or topical application, is also a topic for future studies.

Published on: 2023/10/20

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