Effect of beraprost sodium (Procylin), a stable prostaglandin I2 analogue, on a dorsal skin flap model in rats.

Beraprost sodium, a chemically stable prostaglandin I2 analogue with antiplatelet vasodilator actions, was tested by comparing the extent of viability of random pattern skin flaps in control rats and rats treated with beraprost sodium. An isolated tail based 2 x 7 cm flap was constructed in 50 Sprague-Dawley rats. In group 1 (beraprost sodium treated group, n = 25) 0.015 mg beraprost sodium were injected intraperitoneally immediately after the flap had been raised. In group 2 (control group, n = 25) the animals were injected intraperitoneally with the same volume of saline immediately after the flap had been raised. At the end of the seventh day the flap survival area was documented using digital planimetry. The difference between the results showed that beraprost sodium had significantly beneficial effect on skin flap survival (p < 0.01, Welch's test).