The effect of adipose stromal vascular fraction on the viability of transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap after abdominoplasty: An experimental study

Introduction: A prior abdominoplasty is considered as an absolute contraindication to transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap surgery. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of nonexpanded adipose stromal vascular fraction (ASVF) on the viability of TRAM flap after abdominoplasty. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups. Reverse abdominoplasty model was used in all groups except Group 1. TRAM flap was performed 2 weeks after abdominoplasty in Groups 2 and 4 and 4 weeks after in Groups 3 and 5. ASVF cells were injected during abdominoplasty in Groups 4 and 5. The viable flap area (VFA) percentage and newly formed perforators were assessed. Capillary density and fibrosis gradient and plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were measured. Results: The mean VFA to total flap area was measured as 82.90% ± 7.59%, 3.31% ± 3.29%, 9.40% ± 6.18%, 31.92% ± 9.29%, and 64.98% ± 10.95% in Group 1, Group 2, Group 3, Group 4, and Group 5, respectively (P < 0.05). The number of newly formed musculocutaneous perforating arteries was 0.29 ± 0.49, 1.14 ± 0.69, and 2 ± 0.82 for Groups 3, 4, and 5, respectively (P < 0.05). The mean capillary density was 6.86 ± 0.50, 0.67 ± 0.13, 2.79 ± 0.53, 3.71 ± 0.47, and 7.01 ± 0.70 in Groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively (P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant increase between the baseline VEGF values and the second VEGF values in Groups 4 and 5. Conclusions: The study showed that local injection of ASVF increases the viability of TRAM flap after abdominoplasty.