The protective effect of cilostazol on transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in rats

Abstract

Objective: Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous (TRAM) flap is commonly used in breast reconstruction. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the effects of cilostazol on TRAM flap viability in a rat TRAM model.

Methods: Twenty-four Wistar rats were used. They were divided into four groups. Rats in Group 1 were applied TRAM flap. In Group 2, cilostazol 30 mg/kg was administered to rats via oral gavage 3 hours before the flap surgery. After the flap surgery, cilostazol 30 mg/kg was administered via oral gavage twice a day for 7 days. In Group 3 before the flap surgery, cilostazol 30 mg/kg was administered via oral gavage twice a day for 7 days, and treatment continued for 7 more days after the flap surgery. In Group 4 before the flap surgery, cilostazol 30 mg/kg was administered via oral gavage twice a day for 7 days and treatment was discontinued after the flap surgery.

Result: The mean necrosis rate in Group 1 was 41.69%, in Group 2 it was 27.0%, in Group 3 it was 6.66%, and in Group 4 it was 11.2%. The necrosis rate in Group 1 was found to be statistically significantly higher than other groups (p < .01), the necrosis rate in Group 2 was found to be statistically significant higher than Groups 3 and 4 (p < .01), and the necrosis rate in Group 4 was found to be statistically significant higher than Group 3 (p < .01).

Conclusion: Cilostazol treatment seemed to increase the viability of TRAM flap, especially when administered as adjuvant therapy.

Keywords:

• TRAM flap
• cilostazol
• flap viability

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest and have received no funding in relation to this article. All authors have seen and accepted the submitted version of this paper and they alone bear the responsibility for the content. The material is original and has neither been published, nor submitted for publication, elsewhere. If the material is accepted for publication, the paper will not be published elsewhere without written consent of the copyright holder.