Abstract
the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of electrical stimulation on ischemia-induced tissue injury in skin flaps. bipedicle skin flaps measuring 4 x 20 cm were created bilaterally on the flanks of 12 yorkshire pigs. the ischemic central portions of the flaps were treated with 35 ma of electrical current at a frequency of 128 hz for 30 minutes twice daily during the initial nine days following skin-flap elevation. the treatment schedule consisted of negative-electrode stimulation during the first three days, positive-electrode stimulation during the second three days, and negative-electrode stimulation during the seventh to ninth days. five control pigs underwent either no treatment (n = 3) or sham treatment (n = 2). the mean area of the skin flaps exhibiting necrosis was 28.0% in the control animals and 13.2% in the stimulated animals. these areas were significantly different (p < .001). the results indicate that pulsed electrical stimulation can improve the survival of skin flaps.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 37-40 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Physical Therapy |
| Volume | 70 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1990 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Animals, laboratory
- Electrotherapy, electrical stimulation
- ischemia
- tissue survival
- wound healing
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine