OBJECTIVETo investigate the systemic influence after an island flap with venous congestion-reperfusion.

METHODSAn island flap was formed in a Rat model. The vein in the pedicle was clamped for 2 hours, 6 hours and 10 hours and released. The ear microcirculation, levels of TNF alpha and IL-10 were measured, and the neutrophils sequestration in tissues were counted. The vascular structure of the lung and intestine were evaluated.

RESULTSThere were significant changes in the ear microcirculation, neutrophils sequestration of the lung and the intestine in the 2 hours, 6 hours and 10 hours groups, and became more serious by the time increasing. The TNF alpha level reached in maximum at 1 hour after the reperfusion, while the IL-10 became to the lowest level at 3 hours after the reperfusion. However, the TNF alpha and IL-10 levels were significant high in the 6 hour and 10 hours groups, compared with the 2 hours group and the control, but there was no differences between the2 hours group and the control.

CONCLUSIONSVenous congestion-reperfusion of flap could injury the remote organs such as lung, intestinal etc. The injury could be more serious with the time increasing.