The effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on postmastectomy skin flap necrosis

The aim of this study was to determine the role of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the viability of random skin flaps. In 30 Wistar-EPM rats, a random 10×4 cm skin flap was raised and a plastic barrier was interposed between the flap and its bed. Immediately after surgery and for two subsequent days, the rats in group 1 (the control group) were anesthetized for 1 h with the electrodes positioned in the base of the flap and without the administration of the electric stimulus. The rats in group 2 (the treatment group) were submitted to TENS for 1 h immediately after the surgery and for two subsequent days. The percentage of necrotic area (averages of 43.11% in the rats in group 1 and 23.52% in the rats in group 2) was calculated on the seventh postoperative day in both groups. Statistical analysis proved that TENS was more efficient in increasing random skin flap viability than was the method used in the control group.

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Experimental model for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on ischemic random skin flap in rats

Acta Cirurgica Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0102-86502003001100008 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 18 (spe) ◽

pp. 54-59 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Richard Eloin Liebano ◽

Lydia Masako Ferreira ◽

Miguel Sabino Neto

Keyword(s):

Experimental Model ◽

Nerve Stimulation ◽

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽

Skin Flap ◽

Necrotic Area ◽

Electrical Nerve Stimulation

The objective of this paper was to develop an experimental model to be used in the study of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on viability of random skin flap in rats. The sample was 15 Wistar-EPM rats. The random skin flap measured 10x4 cm and a plastic barrier was placed between the flap and the donnor site. The animals were submited to TENS for 1 hour immediately after the surgery and on the two subsequent days. On the seventh postoperative day, the percentage of necrotic area was measured and calculated. The experimental model proved to be reliable to be used in the study of effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in random skin flap in rats.

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Effect of high frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on viability of random skin flap in rats

Acta Cirurgica Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0102-86502006000300003 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 133-138 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Richard Eloin Liebano ◽

Luiz Eduardo Felipe Abla ◽

Lydia Masako Ferreira

Keyword(s):

Nerve Stimulation ◽

High Frequency ◽

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽

Skin Flap ◽

Donor Site ◽

Necrotic Area ◽

Control Group ◽

Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽

Average Percentage ◽

Flap Viability

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of high frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on viability of random skin flap in rats. METHODS: The sample of this study was 75 Wistar rats. The skin flap measured 10 x 4 cm and a plastic barrier was interposed between the flap and donor site. After the operative procedure, animals of all groups were maintained anesthetized one more hour with electrodes positioned in the base of the flap and submitted to treatment according of their respective group. This procedure was repeated on the two subsequent days. G1: sham stimulation (control), G2: TENS (f = 80 Hz and I = 5 mA), G3: TENS (f = 80 Hz and I = 10 mA), G4: TENS (f = 80 Hz and I = 15 mA), G5: TENS (f = 80 Hz and I = 20 mA). RESULTS: The average percentage of necrotic area was 43,11, 34,65, 49,44, 23,52, 45,10 in groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. CONCLUSION: The amplitude of 15 mA presented a lower necrotic area than control group and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation was efficient in increasing the random skin flap viability.

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