Background and Objective: Skin flaps in the distal region lose their tissue because of impaired perfusion, which is strongly due to the ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and oxidative stress (OS). Reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increasing antioxidant capacity are the most important approaches to preserve flaps. Given the antioxidant effects of selenium, it is expected to be effective in enhancing flap survival.
Materials and Methods: In this survey, 30 rats were divided into 3 groups of 10: 1) sham group (incision of the flap margin without elevation of the bed), 2) flap surgery group (incision and elevation of the skin from bed+plastic film placement under the flap), and 3) flap surgery+nano-selenium oxide treatment (incision and elevation of the skin from bed+plastic film placement under the flap+nano-selenium oxide 25 mg/kg intraperitoneally).
On the seventh day after flap surgery, the flap necrosis percentage, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured.
Results: Flap necrosis and the level of MDA significantly increased in the flap surgery group and decreased in the nano-selenium oxide-treated group (P<0.05). SOD activity decreased in the flap surgery group and increased in the nano-selenium oxide-treated group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that treatment with nano-selenium oxide reduced flap tissue necrosis and lipid peroxidation significantly; it also increased SOD activity. Therefore, the survival of the flap and its efficacy increased.