Nitric oxide synthase inhibitors improve skin flap survival in the rat

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Abstract
The ability of nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors to reduce ischemia‐induced skin flap necrosis was assessed using a modified McFarlane flap in the rat. Flap survival was significantly improved in L‐NIO treated (86 ± 2%), L‐NAME‐treated (84 ± 2%), and aminoguanidine‐treated (76 ± 2%) animals compared to the saline‐treated group (54 ± 2%), P < 0.005. Inhibition of NO synthase significantly decreased the hyperemia and edema within the flaps at 24 hours post‐elevation. These findings suggest that endogenous NO production contributes to ischemic necrosis and that inhibition of NO synthase may prove useful in extending survival of tissues subjected to ischemia.