Effects of Lidocaine on Random Skin Flap Survival in Rats

BACKGROUND: Use of a random skin flap is common for repairing wounds and for reconstruction. Lidocaine is a traditional local anesthetic that blocks sodium channels and has positive effects on ischemia-reperfusion injury. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of lidocaine on random skin flap survival in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: McFarlane flaps were established in 20 rats divided into 2 groups. Lidocaine was injected in the lidocaine group, and the same concentration of saline was injected in the control group. The survival area of the flaps was measured on Day 7. Levels of inflammation were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slices, and superoxide dismutase and malonyldialdehyde contents were examined. RESULTS: The mean survival area of the flaps in the lidocaine group was significantly larger than that in the control group. Superoxide dismutase activity increased significantly in the lidocaine group compared with that in the control group. Malonyldialdehyde level in the lidocaine group was significantly lower than that in the control group. The H&E-stained slices showed that inflammation was clearly inhibited in the lidocaine group. CONCLUSION: Lidocaine improved the survival of random skin flaps.