Effect of aspirin on random pattern flap survival in rats

Aspirin is known to increase dermal perfusion and is commonly used to enhance anastomotic patency in microvascular surgery. However, we were unable to find any reports of an effect of aspirin on simple flap survival. In order to determine its effect on flap survival, a controlled experiment was designed using random pattern flaps in rats. The results indicate a statistically significant increase in flap survival in rats receiving aspirin. It is suggested that aspirin's anti-aggregation effect, in combination with its vasodilatational and anti-inflammatory effect, increases the perfusion in the initial critical hours and thus secondarily decreases the reperfusion injury.