The Dorsal Rat Flap: A Discussion of the Model and the Salutary Effect of Cimetidine on Flap Survival

Failure of skin flaps remains a significant clinical problem. The dorsal rat flap, a reliable experimental model, was used to test the efficacy of cimetidine in treating a falling flap. Flaps were elevated in 45 rats divided into three equal groups. Group 1 was a saline control group. Group 2 received cimetidine 250 mg/kg three time a day for 7 days postoperatively, and Group 3 received cimetidine for 1 day before surgery, and then as in Group 2. Necrosis was assessed on the seventh postoperative day. Group 2 had 31.1 ± 1.3 (mean % ± SEM) necrosis, significantly better than saline control animals (p < 0.01) and pretreated animals (p < 0.05). These results suggest the usefulness of cimetidine in ischemic flap surgery.