Experimental model for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on ischemic random skin flap in rats

The objective of this paper was to develop an experimental model to be used in the study of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on viability of random skin flap in rats. The sample was 15 Wistar-EPM rats. The random skin flap measured 10x4 cm and a plastic barrier was placed between the flap and the donnor site. The animals were submited to TENS for 1 hour immediately after the surgery and on the two subsequent days. On the seventh postoperative day, the percentage of necrotic area was measured and calculated. The experimental model proved to be reliable to be used in the study of effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in random skin flap in rats