Effect of propofol anesthesia on skin flap survival in rat; comparison with ketamine

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate non-anesthetic properties of propofol in skin flap survival in rats. Materials and methods: Thirty-two adult white female rats were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 was anesthesized with ketamine (40 mg/kg) and group 2 was anesthesized with propofol (100 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. A full-thickness piece of skin on the back of rats (2.5 × 8 × 8 cm) was incised while the flap base was preserved. The flap was immediately returned and sutured using 5.0 separate sutures to the original location. Apparent healing was daily assessed by measuring the necrotic and healthy areas and the survival rate of the skin flaps was evaluated after photography. Histopathological evaluation was performed by a blinded pathologist on days 1, 4, 7 and 21 in three zones of the flap: up, down and middle. Serum interleukin 1 and 6 were measured before and 12, 24 and 168 hours after creating the flaps. Results: Flap survival rate on day 21, and IL-6 on day 0, 12 hour and day 1 were significantly higher in propofol group than in ketamine group. IL-1 was not significantly different. Histological signs of healing were more prominent in propofol group. Conclusion: It appears that propofol has a more significant effect on skin flap survival in comparison with ketamine, but further and more precise studies are required to confirm this finding.