Microcirculation pattern of expanded skin and its influence on skin blood supply

Objective To study the microcirculation pattern of expanded skin and its influence on skin blood supply. Methods The microvessel diameter, blood velocity and blood volume were recorded under the microcirculatory imaging system and the microvessel density was measured by enzyme histochemical staining and medical imagine analysis. Results Compared with the control group, all the recorded values rose obviously in every expanded groups ( P 0.01). The microvessel diameter and blood volume increased from the first week to the third week and then declined. The microvessel density was increased from the first week to the fourth week and then also declined later. The blood velocity kept in a high level from the first expanding period on.Conclusions The microcirculation function is enhanced by expansion.Its new stable microvessel system develops from angiogenesis and microvessel expansion at the early period. Only after one month expansion can expanded skin gain its stable blood supply.